Panthers' Bryce Young throws first TD of NFL career
Bryce Young has arrived. The Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback and first overall pick threw his first-career touchdown in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday.
Tight end Hayden Hurst hauled in a four-yard pass from Young to tie things up at seven apiece.
The Panthers later tacked on a field goal to take a 10-7 lead in the third quarter, looking for a victory in both Young and head coach Frank Reich’s debut in Carolina. Unfortunately for Carolina, that didn’t happen.
Young’s debut was a mixed bag, as he completed 20-of-38 passes for 146 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He added 17 yards on the ground. The Falcons defeated the Panthers, 24-10, to start their season off on a high note.
Bryce Young struggles in Panthers debut
As had been said during the offseason, expectations for year one needed to be managed. And wouldn’t you know it, that’s the same advice Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback and fellow first overall pick Trevor Lawrence had for Young when asked this week.
“I think it’s just managing those expectations, because what are expectations anyways?” Lawrence said, via Jaguars Wire. “It doesn’t really matter what people think you should do or you’re going to do, it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. As long as the guys in the locker room trust and have faith in you and you keep getting better every day, I think that’s what success looks like.
“Obviously, it’s winning as many games as possible. It’s hard to say how many that’s going to be… You don’t know the set of obstacles that are going to be in front of you. You just have to go with that mindset everyday of getting better and not letting bad plays and bad games get in your head. Just continuing to turn the page over, learn from the good, learn from the bad, and continue growing.”