Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young didn’t hold back when asked about offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, and the feedback was glowing.
Speaking to reporters on 9/16, Young pointed to Idzik’s preparation, communication, and in-game adjustments after the coordinator handled play-calling duties in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Carolina put up 37 points in that game, and Young made it clear he noticed how much of that production was tied to the way Idzik operated from the sideline.
“I love how collaborative he is, how much conversation and feedback that we're able to have on the sideline,” Young said. “You know, he's super diligent on top of it as far as having notes, having thoughts, being that one or two plays ahead or two drives ahead on the sideline and being able to sit down and have that dialogue. You know, that's something that's been great.
“And, you know, you don't really know that until you get into it. But that was one of the many things that stood out that I thought that Brad just did a great job with. And then even now, building out the plan, all that stuff, just being able to have those conversations, just being on the same page.
“I want to be able to out there and in the huddle drive what he wants to see and be able to, what he wants, how he sees things going. Me being able to see the same way so I can communicate it out to the guys and be the coach on the field for him.
So he did a great job making some on-the-field adjustments, sideline adjustments, and adding some stuff in based off what he was seeing, which is, again, just someone who has their stuff in order and is able to to that, be that one, two drives ahead. So, you know, I'm super excited for him and for us to continue to keep growing.”
Young backed up the praise with a big stat line against Chicago. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards, threw three touchdowns and one interception, and added a rushing score as well. Carolina’s offense finished with 478 total yards.
The defense, though, couldn’t keep pace. The Panthers gave up 59 points to the Bears, which took the shine off an otherwise productive day on offense.
Young is in the fourth year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $12.1 million this season. His fifth-year option is a guaranteed $25.9 million. Carolina did not work out an extension with him, so another strong season would matter a lot heading into next offseason.
The Panthers will look for their first win of the year in Week 2 after Atlanta also opened with a loss, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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