North Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE— Jonathan Mingo and Cam Gill were in the final minutes of a one-possession Madden NFL game. In a simulated match, the 2004 Carolina Panthers faced off against each other. Jake Delhomme versus Julius Peppers, Steve Smith Sr., and Dan Morgan made plays for both teams. Mingo scored touchdowns from his spot in the black armchair facing the massive screen in the waning moments of the game. He lined up his iteration of the 2004 Panthers for an extra point when a voice from the back coached, "You should be going for two right now."

On the screen, the offense elected to kick instead. It was no good. When the next possession rolled around and an obvious field goal situation arose, Mingo hesitated, contemplating running a play.

The same voice from the back said, "NOW is the time you're not going to kick?"

The play selection on the screen changed, and as fake cameras focused on the holder, Andy Dalton quietly asked, "Bryce, is that you holding?"

In professional football, quarterbacks rarely act as holders like they do in college. However, this question was enough to break Bryce Young into laughter that echoed around the room.

Young was in his second NFL production day and his first as returning starter. He displayed marked comfortability as he walked from station to station, posing for pictures and acting for the camera while navigating elaborate sets. When repetitiveness threatened to lower morale, Sam Franklin Jr. jumped to the side of the set and coaxed (read: demanded) his quarterback to dance.

The day highlighted more than just flashes of a young passer coming into his own; it signified Young's growing confidence within his team.

This confidence is particularly evident when he interacts with Dalton.

"Tell me about 2005," Young asked Dalton humorously, veering close to a "tell me about the old days Grandpa" tone. "How did you look stuff up before Google?"

In deference to Young’s age—he was only four years old in 2005—Dalton educated him on early internet experiences involving dial-up connections.

How old was Andy Dalton in 2005?

"I was a senior in high school," he scoffed, sending Young into another fit of laughter.

Before what could be described as an impromptu podcast began, Young and Dalton played their own version of Madden with 2004 teams. Young sacked Dalton's Delhomme as Peppers on one play but fumbled with the controller trying to figure out how to jump a ball on a Nintendo GameCube.

Dalton coached Young through gameplay reminders like "this is 2005 Bryce; a running back is a big part of the offense."

After their game ended in a 6-6 tie, they utilized nearby microphones to continue their conversation. They discussed top songs from 2005 and Oscar Best Picture winners unfamiliar to Young. He expressed shock when learning about MapQuest directions printing.

Their “podcast” lasted only 15 minutes without covering any significant topics but demonstrated their camaraderie: an experienced veteran guiding a younger player still finding his place in professional football.

Dalton eventually found his line when asking if Young remembered Blockbuster video stores. While Young claimed he did remember Blockbuster, he admitted his preference for Redbox.

"I hated going to the store with my mom," Young shared wistfully. "But I'd go just in case she said we could rent a movie."

Dalton shook his head silently and walked out amid commiserating groans from others over age thirty while Young snickered at his chair.

Before concluding their day together, they welcomed suggestions for naming their hypothetical podcast.