With recent success, Panthers' Bryce Young finally having fun

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is finally having fun.

You could see it in his smile following big plays while winning consecutive games for the first time in his nascent NFL career.

You could see it in his newfound comfort showing his personality, mimicking a first down signal after a 24-yard scramble in his last outingand dancing on the sideline before the game-winning field goal in overtime.

You could see it his willingness to attack defenses with deep passes in a way he never did during a 2-14 rookie season and 0-2 start to this one.

That newfound outlook will be put to the test Sunday's game against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

"It's just maybe being a little more expressive,'' Young said. "I enjoy things in my own way. I know how things can look from the outside, but I've always enjoyed the game. I've always loved the game. I've always had fun playing.

"Maybe it's been more expressive the last couple of weeks, but my love for the game is always good.''

Much of this expressiveness is tied to confidence in the offensive line. Young is finally getting time to make plays in the passing game. The O-line's run blocking has paved the way for Chuba Hubbard to rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (818) and has taken pressure off the quarterback to carry the offense.

The top pick of the 2023 draft was careful to not criticize last season's line after being sacked 62 times, most in the league. But those who witnessed the duress Young was under last season, and during the first two games this season, agree the line played a major role in the quarterback's poor performance.

"Oh, yeah,'' wide receiver Adam Thielen said. "The offensive line has given both quarterbacks [Young and Andy Dalton] confidence they can sit back there ... be on time, go through their reads.

"There's a few times in Germany it was just phenomenal protection, long developing plays that the O-line just did a great job in giving a clean pocket for Bryce to step up and make those throws.''

Young's sack rate this season is 6.1%, down from 10% last season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He is being pressured only 29.7% of the time, compared to 35% in 2023. The opponent's time to a sack is 4.77 seconds, compared to 4.28 last season.

The strengthening of the interior line with the signing of free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis has helped tremendously, but it took a while for the new group to gel.

Young was sacked four times in a season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints and twice in a Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, leading to him being benched for Dalton after the 0-2 start.

He has been sacked only six times in three games since returning as the starter and only once in each of the past two games.

His sack rate dropped from 9% in those first two games to 4.1% the past three, even though he was pressured more -- 32.7 % to 25.4 % -- in Weeks 8-10.

The protection has opened up the deep passing game. Young was 6-for-17 (35%) on throws of 10-plus yards the first two games and was 16-for-36 (44%) the past three.

More aggressive playcalling by Dave Canales since Young appeared to get frustrated with the coach'sconservative approach during a 23-22 victory over the Saints three weeks ago also has helped. Both Young and Canales downplayed any friction, but Canales on Monday took some responsibility.

"Honestly, it's also on me, just giving him more opportunities to be able to take those looks down there,'' said Canales, adding Young's chemistry with rookie wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker also has played a role.

But protection is at the root of both.

"They've been ballin','' Young said. "They've been playing super well in all facets. I'm super grateful for them.''

Even without starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu(ankle) the past two weeks, which forced starting center Brady Christensen to move outside, Young has had more time to work.

"It was tough sometimes [last season] with those breakdowns at different points on the offensive line,'' said Ekwonu, who is on track to play Sunday.

Christensen called the improved protection "huge to everything.''

"There's so much on his plate, so if he cannot worry about a couple of things that we can take control of, that's huge,'' he said. "That's with any quarterback. If they don't feel confident back there, it's gonna be tough.'

Despite the improved confidence and a two-game winning streak, the 3-7 Panthers' first since 2022, Canales said the quarterback position will continue to be a week-to-week evaluation.

That Young hasn't put up huge numbers despite the protection plays a role. Over the past two games, he has totaled 297 passing yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

The key has been the way Young has finished strong in each win.

"And of course, the end result, winning,'' Canales said.

Thielen said the more Young is able to relax and be himself, the better off the team will be. Young is just enjoying the moment for as long as he can, but he can't promise any more dances.

"We'll see,'' he said with a smile. "I don't really plan them out in advance.''br/]