Panthers share thoughts following preseason fall to Jets, debut of QB Bryce Young

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers preseason had a rocky start with a tough loss to the New York Jets.

In the end, the Jets outplayed the Panthers to secure a 27-0 win. Panthers head coach Frank Reich referred to the game as a “good week that ended on a bad note.”

Following the game, Channel 9 sports reporter DaShawn Brown spoke with the team about highlights, including the debut of their brand-new quarterback, Bryce Young.

Young: It was just lack of execution. Starting with myself.

Frank Reich said the plan was to keep the play calls “very generic”, but Young says that’s not an excuse for how the offense performed pic.twitter.com/ixKO8ImLny
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) August 12, 2023

Over the course of the game, Young played three series, totaling 11 plays, giving the Jets’ defense enough time to sack the new quarterback three different times. It began with the first pass of the day, from Young to Adam Thielen. Before the Jets, Solomon Thomas came in to quickly put an end to the play.

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On the same drive, while Young was looking for DJ Clark, Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson headed straight for the rookie quarterback. By the third hit, the Jets’ defense had successfully sacked Young.

The Alabama alumnus ended up finishing four for six on passing attempts for 21 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, but there was a lot to learn from.

“When sacks happen, that’s on all of us.” Young said after the game, “I could’ve gotten the ball out quicker.”

For offensive tackle Iken Ekwonu, this preseason game allowed him and his teammates to see what skills they needed to freshen up on before the official start of the season.

“I mean, he shouldn’t be getting hit at all,” Ekwonu said. “At the end of the day, that’s it, so we just weren’t good enough today.”

Reich wouldn’t outright say how much he plans to play Young for the last two preseason games. He says right now the team’s focus is getting ready for the season opener.

Reich did say that starters will play as much as they need to.

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