Bryce Young entered the 2024 season looking to shake off a tough rookie year with the Carolina Panthers.
He did not get off to a good start.
Young’s first throw of the NFL season Sunday was an interception. With the Panthers facing first-and-10 on their first play of the new season, Young looked downfield on a play-action pass against the New Orleans Saints.
The pass appeared to be intended for wide receiver Adam Thielen. Instead, Saints safety Will Harris dove under it near midfield to secure the turnover for New Orleans.
New Orleans converted the turnover into a field goal to extend its lead to 10-0 after scoring a touchdown on its first drive.
While Thielen was the intended target, he didn’t have a chance at the ball. Marshon Lattimore had tight coverage on Thielen on a go route over the middle, and the ball sailed over his head. Harris was in deep zone coverage over the middle and took advantage of the errant throw.
The Panthers traded up to select Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, giving up their first-round pick this year that the Chicago Bears used to select Caleb Williams. As a rookie, he completed 59.8% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He took 62 sacks for a league-worst 477 yards lost. The Panthers went 2-14 in games that he started.
The Panthers hired head coach Frank Reich midway through his first season with the team and hired Dave Canales in the offseason in hopes of turning the corner in Young’s second season. This is not the start to 2024 the Panthers and their fans envisioned.
