Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and the first-string offense struggled through three consecutive three-and-outs in the team’s preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills, leaving the second-year signal-caller frustrated and head coach Dave Canales cutting the unit’s playing time short.
Young completed three of five passes for 18 yards and absorbed one sack across nine offensive snaps before Canales pulled the starting group after the first quarter. The coach had indicated before the game he hoped to see Young run roughly 20 plays but implemented a three-series limit that took effect when the offense failed to sustain drives.
“Obviously not the start we wanted,” Young said after the game. “We weren’t able to execute today. It sucks.”
The former No. 1 overall draft pick emphasized accountability across the roster. “We all want to do a better job, myself included. We all take ownership in that. Guys will look in the mirror, want to be better, so we’re going to be better.”
Canales echoed that sentiment while explaining his decision to keep the starters on the sideline. “My hope was 20-ish plays, but I also had a three series cap in my mind. We didn’t earn those extra reps. The first quarter was over, we had three series, we went three-and-out three times. So we’ve got to do better.”
The performance marks an inauspicious beginning to Young’s second NFL season under a new coaching staff led by Canales, who was hired in January to revitalize Carolina’s offense. The Panthers finished last season with a league-worst 2-15 record, and Young’s rookie campaign produced 2,877 passing yards with 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
Carolina’s offense returns significant investment at the skill positions, including wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette, along with running back Jonathon Brooks. However, continuity along the offensive line remains a question mark entering the regular season.
Young and the starters will review film this week before the Panthers’ next preseason contest. The coaching staff expects sharper execution as the unit builds familiarity with Canales’ system, which emphasizes rhythm passing and tempo.
“We’ll look at the tape, look at ourselves, and get better,” Young said.
