The Panthers May Have Found Bryce Young a Gem of a Weapon No One Expected

When the Carolina Panthers traded up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to select quarterback Bryce Young, they did so with high hopes. As the top pick in the draft, Young was seen as the future of the franchise—a dynamic, highly skilled, and poised leader. However, one aspect of the team that was often overlooked in the aftermath of that pick was the surrounding cast of players who would help him develop. In particular, one new addition to the roster has emerged as an unexpected gem, a weapon that could significantly elevate Young’s game and make the Panthers offense much more dangerous than initially anticipated.

While most attention naturally gravitated toward Young’s transition to the NFL, the Panthers’ front office quietly assembled a group of under-the-radar playmakers that could help him thrive. Among these players, one individual stands out—a player who may not have been expected to make such an impact so early in the season. This player’s contribution to the offense is shaping up to be the hidden treasure that could define the Panthers’ future.

The excitement surrounding Bryce Young’s arrival in Carolina was palpable. After years of searching for a franchise quarterback following Cam Newton’s departure, the Panthers believed they had found their next superstar in Young. His college career at Alabama was nothing short of exceptional, highlighted by his poise, accuracy, and ability to lead his team to victory in big moments.

Yet, even with Young’s immense talent, every rookie quarterback needs support. The key to a successful transition to the NFL isn’t just about having a promising quarterback—it’s also about ensuring that the quarterback has the tools necessary to succeed. That’s where the real work of general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich came in.

To help Young thrive, the Panthers made several notable moves during the offseason to bolster their offensive roster. They added receivers, running backs, and revamped the offensive line to give Young a chance to excel. They made trades and free-agent signings with the explicit goal of giving Young the best possible weapons at his disposal.

While players like wide receiver Adam Thielen and tight end Hayden Hurst were widely seen as crucial additions to the offense, there was one player who had a much lower profile coming into the season: Jonathan Mingo.

Mingo, a second-round pick from Ole Miss, had his name floated around as a promising prospect, but he wasn’t necessarily considered a top-tier weapon by many analysts. When the Panthers selected him with the 39th overall pick, there were questions about his immediate impact. After all, many expected that the Panthers would prioritize a more seasoned wide receiver or target a known commodity in free agency to give Bryce Young a more immediate solution.

But the more you dig into Mingo’s potential, the more it becomes clear that the Panthers may have stumbled upon something special.

Mingo was often overshadowed by bigger names in the draft, but his skills as a versatile wide receiver make him an ideal match for Young’s playing style. He’s a big-bodied, physical wideout with great speed and a wide catch radius, characteristics that make him an ideal weapon for a rookie quarterback trying to establish chemistry with his new teammates. Mingo’s ability to run crisp routes, combined with his knack for finding separation, gives him the potential to become a key piece in the Panthers’ offensive puzzle.

What stands out about Mingo is his versatility. His ability to line up outside, in the slot, or even run a variety of routes from different positions gives him the flexibility to fit into the Panthers’ offensive system seamlessly. More than just a one-dimensional player, Mingo’s adaptability means that the Panthers can use him in a multitude of ways to exploit defenses.

When evaluating the early connection between Bryce Young and Jonathan Mingo, it’s clear that the rookie receiver has become a dependable option for the young quarterback. Young’s style of play—calm, composed, and patient—has been a perfect fit for Mingo’s skill set. The chemistry between the two players has been noticeable from early training camp reports, and it’s continued to blossom as the regular season progresses.

Bryce Young’s accuracy and poise as a passer have allowed Mingo to thrive. Young is known for his precision in the pocket, his ability to place the ball where only his receiver can catch it. Mingo, on the other hand, has demonstrated a strong ability to track the ball, make contested catches, and utilize his size to shield defenders.

In particular, Mingo’s ability to win jump balls and come down with difficult catches has made him a red zone threat. Young’s anticipation on deep throws and his ability to recognize mismatches has made Mingo an excellent target for chunk plays down the field.

But what’s been most impressive is the trust that Young has developed in Mingo early on. In a high-pressure environment, the rookie quarterback has shown a remarkable ability to go to Mingo in clutch moments, demonstrating that the wide receiver is one of his most trusted targets.

At the core of any successful NFL offense is the ability to move the chains and create explosive plays. For a rookie quarterback, that usually means having reliable weapons that can pick up yards after the catch, win matchups against defenders, and occasionally break away for big gains.

Mingo has quickly become one of the Panthers’ most explosive players in terms of gaining yardage. His yards-per-catch average is something to watch, as he consistently makes big plays after the catch. His combination of size and speed allows him to create mismatches against smaller corners, while his physicality makes him a tough cover for larger defenders.

Mingo’s role has also allowed others on the offense to flourish. For example, his presence on the field as a big-play threat can open up space for other receivers like Adam Thielen or D.J. Chark to find softer spots in the defense. With Mingo drawing attention on deeper routes, Young is able to spread the ball around more effectively, keeping defenses guessing and on their heels.

The addition of Mingo also alleviates some of the pressure on Young to be perfect. Having a receiver who can adjust to difficult throws, who can go up and get contested balls, or who can turn a short pass into a long gain gives Young more flexibility as he matures in the NFL. It’s a safety net that every young quarterback needs to grow into their role.

While statistics are a great indicator of a player’s performance, the most significant contributions often go beyond the box score. Jonathan Mingo’s impact on the Panthers offense can be seen in how he influences the defense’s game plan. His mere presence forces defensive coordinators to adjust their schemes to account for his size, speed, and playmaking ability.

Moreover, Mingo brings an element of swagger and confidence to the Panthers’ offensive unit. A young player coming into the league and immediately becoming a key contributor sets a tone for the entire team. His development not only helps Bryce Young’s growth but also elevates the expectations for the Panthers’ offense as a whole.

It’s rare for a second-round rookie to step in and play such a vital role early on, but Mingo’s development has been rapid. He’s become an essential weapon that no one anticipated would have this much of an immediate impact. With his blend of size, athleticism, and understanding of the game, Mingo has made himself a cornerstone of the Panthers’ future.

As the Panthers move further into the season and beyond, the development of Bryce Young and Jonathan Mingo will be crucial to the team’s future success. Young’s maturation as a quarterback will continue to be the focal point of the offense, but the evolution of Mingo as a primary weapon could change the trajectory of the entire organization.

With Mingo becoming a reliable playmaker, Young has the luxury of working with a wide receiver who can grow alongside him. They both have room for improvement, but if their early chemistry is any indication, this duo could develop into one of the most exciting in the league over the next few seasons.

The Panthers’ front office will undoubtedly continue to build around Young and Mingo, knowing that they have found a talented, unexpected weapon in Mingo. As other pieces of the offense continue to evolve, the combination of Young’s vision and Mingo’s playmaking ability could make the Panthers a formidable team in the NFC South.

Bryce Young’s rookie year in the NFL is filled with promise, and while much of the spotlight has been on his development as a quarterback, it’s the emergence of Jonathan Mingo as a dynamic playmaker that may prove to be the key to unlocking his full potential. Mingo is a gem that few expected, but his rapid development into a dependable, versatile weapon has already begun to change the trajectory of the Panthers’ offense. With his size, speed, and chemistry with Young, Mingo could become one of the NFL’s most exciting young receivers in the years to come.

For the Panthers, the future is bright, and with a quarterback like Bryce Young and a weapon like Jonathan Mingo, the team could soon be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.