Panthers Coach Dave Canales Praises Bryce Young Despite Blowout Loss to Bears

The Carolina Panthers got blown out at home by the Chicago Bears in Week 1, losing by a final score of 59-37. 

However, Panthers QB Bryce Young played really well. The Alabama product went 23/37 through the air for 361 passing yards. He had three touchdown passes and one interception. 

Young also had one rushing touchdown. 

"I thought Bryce was rhythmic," Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. "He extended plays, made some stuff happen with his legs. I really loved the way he played, hit some nice balls down the field to Jalen Coker, and gave the guys opportunities, gave us an opportunity to move the chains that way. And then, I'll be able to comment more about that once I see the whole thing, but I'm excited about that. Again, I wish I could dive more into the stuff I'm excited about. I can't. We didn't play great; we didn't play good enough in any of the phases of the game to win the game. So we have to all collectively take that."

Young joined Steve Beuerlein in 1999 as just the second quarterback in Carolina franchise history to throw for 350 yards and three touchdowns and run for a score. 

However, he wasn't in a good mood after the game since the Panthers lost. 

"None of that, none of that at all," Young said. "We're a team. There's a lot of stuff that was out there that we could have done better. There's a lot of plays that we all take accountability for. The Panthers lost today; we're a team. There's no one or two sides. So, there's no consolation prizes. We didn't get the job done today."

Young is set to make $12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.

The Panthers didn't sign Young to an extension, so the QB has to play well again this season to get paid next offseason.

It's only one game and the Panthers lost, but Young looked very comfortable with Brad Idzik calling plays. 

"Yeah, Brad did a great job," Young said. "I thought that the communication was great; on the sideline, communication was great. I think he did a great job calling it; it's on us to make some more stuff come to life for him. Again, we didn't do enough today, but I thought that, you know, especially this being his first game, we have a lot of respect for that defense; they did a great job, so it was great.

"Now it's tomorrow, come back, and a lot of stuff we've got to be better at, so we're going to grow from it."

The Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. 

Atlanta lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.