5) Pivotal camp underway for Bryce Young

The focus of the Carolina Panthers‘ offseason clearly centered on improving the situation around Bryce Young, who labored through a trying rookie season in 2023. A new coaching staff, headed by offensive-minded Dave Canales. A revamped offensive line spearheaded by two highly priced guards. More help at receiver, running back and tight end.

The pieces aren’t all in place, but it’s hard to argue the environment in Carolina isn’t better. Now the focus of training camp has turned to Young and what he can do to take strides and prove he can play to the level of expectation levied on the former No. 1 overall selection.

NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe spoke with Young on Saturday, asking him about Canales’ new focus on Young getting the ball out in 2.7 seconds or less.

“Just want to be efficient, and we’re big on timing — on the perimeter, in the running game, also up front,” Young said. “So, making sure that we’re moving through progressions, we’re getting through things, we’re efficient with our reads, with our concepts.”

Young, who turned 23 earlier this week, was sacked 62 times last season for a league-worst 477 yards. According to PFF, Young averaged 2.91 seconds per throw last year and was far more efficient on passes in 2.5 seconds or less (65.8% completions, eight TDs, two INTs) than on passes with dropbacks taking longer than 2.5 seconds (54.0% completions, three TDs, eight INTs).

As Buccaneers offensive coordinator last year, Canales took a similar approach with Baker Mayfield last season. Mayfield had averaged 2.84 seconds or longer in the previous three seasons with the Browns, Panthers and Rams, but in 2023 he averaged 2.74 seconds per attempt — his best mark since his rookie year — and turned in one of his best seasons to date, earning a contract extension with Tampa.

Canales has shown Young plenty of Mayfield tape from last year, as well as Canales’ work with Geno Smith and Russell Wilson in Seattle when he was on Pete Carroll’s staff. It’s all been part of the install process with the Panthers.

“It’s really cool now being on the other side of it and seeing the ‘why,'” Young said. “You watch (2023 Bucs tape), you see something off film and then you want to hear now knowing what it is they’re talking about — what terms they use, how they communicated. … It’s all about learning and growth, so I’m excited to move forward.”