The Carolina Panthers’ starting offense faced challenges in their second preseason game, resulting in a 20-3 loss to the Houston Texans. Quarterback Bryce Young and the offensive unit were pulled after two drives that did not yield positive results.
“Obviously, you want it to go well early, get it done fast, and didn’t get that done today,” Young said following the game.
On the first offensive possession, a pass intended for Xavier Legette was intercepted by Derek Stingley after a defensive flag gave the Panthers an extra play. Young described it as a learning opportunity and emphasized growth from similar situations in his rookie season.
“Our QB coach does a great job of saying make the next right decision,” Young stated. “You’re not always going to make the first perfect one, but myself, the unit, everyone as a team, we want to be efficient, as an operation, and I think that that’s something we’re all pushing each other for.”
The offense attempted another deep pass on their next play to rookie Tetairoa McMillan but was unsuccessful. The drive ended with a punt after Ja’Tavion Sanders could not secure a catch. The second drive saw even less progress and concluded with Young being sacked by Mario Edwards Jr.
Despite these setbacks, Young maintained trust in the coaching staff’s decisions regarding playing time and game planning. “I trust the coaching staff above all else,” he said. “Like I’m a competitor, you know, I think if you ask everyone here, you want to play every play, that’s just how we’re wired as as individuals, as a team, but ultimately, you know, I trust in Coach, he has a plan.
“Everyone in the front office has a plan, you know, they don’t just roll dice and figure out what to do. They know what’s going on and we’re all bought into that process.”
Head coach Dave Canales explained there was intent behind limiting starters’ playing time after reviewing practice tape from joint sessions earlier in the week. He said he felt there was no need for additional series based on their preparation and performance.
“I just wanted them to go out and earn another series,” Canales said. “And I just really felt like, you know, with giving him two shots to do it and it not coming up, I wasn’t going to just put him back out there to kind of say hey let’s just play some more football. That kind of paired with we got great work two days ago, and I just kind of looked at it that way.”
Canales also stressed focusing on fundamentals moving forward: “I think the cool part for me is it allows us to coach our guys hard on the fundamentals of football which is the reason why we come away with three points which is the reason why you know teams are sustaining drives different things like that,” he said. “It comes down to the basics comes down to playing your leverage knowing your assignment and then finishing the play who’s going to make the plays for us?”
Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow noted improvement remains ongoing throughout the season: “I mean we try to get better every day,” Renfrow said. “You ask me in mid-November if this offense is where it needs to be it’s probably not right? You have to keep getting better and keep building on the little things. So yeah I’m excited because I see them practice every day. See those guys making plays and excited just to be a part of it.”
With starters expected not to play in their final preseason game against Pittsburgh Steelers this Thursday according to Canales’ comments during postgame interviews [https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-steelers-preseason-week-3-preview], focus shifts toward maximizing practice opportunities ahead of regular season kickoff.
Young concluded with optimism about his team’s direction: “I feel comfortable. I have all the confidence in the world in this group,” he said. “I’m excited for where we’re going. I’m excited where we’re headed. I’m excited for us to continue to go.
“I’m excited for us to get out there and compete during this upcoming week and I’m yeah I’m really really excited for the future.”
