Jets spoil Bryce Young's Panthers' debut with strong defense
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That’s probably not what Bryce Young pictured when he imagined putting on a Panthers uniform for the first time.
In the 2023 No. 1 pick’s preseason debut, the Jets shut Young down, putting extensive pressure on the young quarterback, who completed just 4-of-6 passes for 21 yards on three drives as the Jets sacked him once and won 27-0.
On Young’s first drive, he completed an eight-yard strike to veteran receiver Adam Thielen, then connected with DJ Chark for a five-yard gain.
But Young didn’t find much success after that, completing just two more passes on the day and taking a sack during the third possession he played.
Young also didn’t get much help from his offensive line.
He was hit on three of his seven drop backs, including a blindside shot to the center of his back from 293-pound defensive tackle Solomon Thomas on his first pass attempt.
“It was a lack of execution starting with myself,” Young said. “I definitely could have done better and us as a unit all have to take accountability. … We have to own this and get better.”
Young’s lack of size was the biggest concern when he entered the league, but the 5-foot-10, 204-pounder bounced back to his feet after taking the hard hit from Thomas.
“I said to him, ‘Well, that was a pretty big welcome-to-the-NFL hit. How did that one feel?’” Panthers coach Frank Reich said. “He said he was fine and barely felt it.”
The Jets’ defensive line — not playing its usual starters — overwhelmed the Panthers’ offensive front, and Quentin Jefferson broke through for a sack and a nine-yard loss in the second quarter.
Jermaine Johnson also played a big role in rushing Young, breaking through for a big hit on the 5-foot-10, 205-pound signal-caller in the first quarter.
Young’s size has been a significant question after the quarterback was selected first overall this year, especially given the weakness of the Panthers’ offensive line.
Though the Jets appeared to outmatch the Panthers by a wide margin Saturday, a relationship between the team’s two leaders is blossoming.
Earlier this week, Young said Aaron Rodgers’ influence on his game was “huge,” particularly in his unorthodox style of passing.
“He just opened that window, that door, for people to change arm angles,’’ Young said.
Rodgers, 39, may not play in a preseason game but said he held a high opinion of Young after meeting him and watching him during the teams’ joint practices.
“I like the kid a lot, we share an agent,” Rodgers said of Young after Thursday’s practice. “So I’ve known about him for a long time. I loved watching him in college. I like his demeanor. I like his movement.
“I like the way he throws. … So I think Carolina is in good hands.”
— with AP
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