As the Carolina Panthers emerge from their bye week to prepare for a daunting matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Dave Canales made it clear that the team is sticking with rookie sensation Bryce Young under center. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has shown flashes of brilliance, leading the Panthers to back-to-back wins before the break.
“This is about the continued progress, Bryce looking more and more confident,” Canales told reporters on Monday. “Just an aggressiveness to his play … and of course the end result, winning.”
Young’s performances have been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for Carolina, who sit at 3-7 but remarkably find themselves just 2.5 games behind the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons. The rookie QB earned his first career victory in dramatic fashion, engineering a 20-17 overtime triumph against the New York Giants in Munich, Germany.
Reinforcements Arriving for Ground Game
While Young aims to build on his recent success, the Panthers’ rushing attack is poised to receive a significant boost with the anticipated NFL debut of rookie running back Jonathon Brooks. The University of Texas product, who has been rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered last November, is expected to split carries with Chuba Hubbard, the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher with 818 yards.
“[Coach Canales] fully expects running back Jonathon Brooks to make his NFL debut after spending the first half of his rookie season rehabbing from ACL surgery last November at the University of Texas.”
– According to a team insider
Brooks’ return comes at an opportune time for the Panthers, as Canales indicated that Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders is unlikely to suit up against the Chiefs. The rookie’s presence should provide a much-needed change of pace and complement Hubbard’s physical running style.
Facing the Super Bowl Champs
The Panthers will have their work cut out for them as they welcome the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs to Bank of America Stadium. Kansas City is coming off its first loss of the season, a 30-21 setback against the Buffalo Bills, and will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back with a vengeance.
Young, who has shown remarkable poise and leadership for a rookie, embraces the challenge of facing one of the NFL’s most formidable teams. “Every week in this league is a test, but going up against a team like the Chiefs, with all their talent and experience, it’s a tremendous opportunity for us to measure ourselves and continue to grow,” the young quarterback remarked.
Playoff Hopes Alive in Wide-Open NFC South
Despite their sub-.500 record, the Panthers remain in the thick of the NFC South race, a testament to the division’s overall struggles this season. With Young’s continued development and the potential impact of Brooks in the backfield, Carolina has reason to believe they can make a late-season push.
As they prepare for the monumental task of facing the Chiefs, the Panthers are focusing on the fundamentals and trusting in the process that has led to their recent success. “We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Young asserted. “Taking care of the ball, executing our game plan, and playing for each other. If we do that, we know we can compete with anyone.”
The stage is set for an intriguing battle between a young, hungry Panthers squad and the battle-tested Chiefs. With Bryce Young at the helm and Jonathon Brooks poised to make his long-awaited debut, Carolina is ready to prove that they belong in the conversation among the NFL’s most promising young teams.
