What Jalen Coker said about Bryce Young after Carolina Panthers' preseason debut

Carolina's young undrafted darling breaks down one of the things his quarterback does best on the field.

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) goes in motion during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium. | Scott Kinser-The USAToday Network via Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers peaked against the Cleveland Browns last night during Bryce Young's one scoring drive in the first quarter. Young got things going with a beautiful 29-yard moonball to rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, then he finished things off by delivering an off-script touchdown pass to Jalen Coker in the end zone.

It was all downhill from there. Xavier Legette got himself ejected for fighting with a Browns safety, then the Carolina "defense" gave up 30 unanswered points to the Browns and Shedeur Sanders, who was playing in his very first NFL game. Young's TD to Coker is still worth celebrating, though.

Here's how Coker broke down the play and Young's ability to make plays outside of structure in general after the game, according to Joe Person at The Athletic.

Jalen Coker on Bryce Young

“His ability to use his feet and extend plays is definitely something that separates him from a lot of guys,” Coker said. “He’s just got a great arm. So even when he’s off balance, he can still make those throws with pinpoint accuracy.”

Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) attempts to catch the ball in the end zone as Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Later in the game, Coker also made a very nice grab on one of the two good passes that Andy Dalton made all night, finishing with two catches, 17 yards and Carolina's only touchdown.

Overall, the receiver corps didn't have a great outing. David Moore only caught two of six targets, McMillan dropped a touchdown and only rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. was really efficient, reeling in four of his five targets.

He was only briefly on the field against the Browns last night, but Adam Thielen (one catch, 10 yards) should still be considered very much far ahead of the rest of this WR unit.

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