During the Carolina Panthers’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, much attention was on Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who had a promising start for his new team. However, the Panthers have reason to be equally encouraged by Bryce Young’s performance in the same game. After a challenging start to his 2024 season, Young showed renewed sharpness by completing 4-of-6 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, highlighting his potential in the preseason.

Young’s Strong Performance Earns High PFF Rating

Though the sample size was limited, Bryce Young earned an impressive PFF grade of 85.1, ranking second only to the Panthers’ starting left tackle, Ikem Ekwonu, who posted an 85.8. This high rating reflected Young’s accuracy and poise on the field, signaling his continued improvement following a rough early 2024 campaign. This level of play offers encouragement for Panthers fans hopeful about their quarterback’s development.

Defensive Standouts and Surprises from the Game

On defense, rookie Nic Scourton made a significant impact with two tackles and a sack, earning the game’s top PFF grade of 91.8. The second-round pick from Texas A&M showcased his ability to disrupt the Browns’ offense early on. Meanwhile, first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan had a mixed outing, catching two passes for 43 yards but receiving a modest PFF grade of 52.7, which was notably lower than expected.

Positive Signs for the Panthers’ Key Players

The standout performances by left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, quarterback Bryce Young, and pass rusher Nic Scourton were exactly the encouraging signs Carolina needed from their preseason opener. These players demonstrated promising flashes that could be crucial to the Panthers’ success as the regular season approaches and the team continues to develop its roster.