Grading Bryce Young and Other Panthers QBs in Preseason Contest vs. Jaguars

Preseason game No. 3 is in the books, and the Carolina Panthers looked better than ever on the road in Jacksonville. While two of Carolina's three touchdowns were on the ground, the quarterback play looked like a whole new unit compared to the road preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.

In a dominant 34-17 win over the Jaguars, three QBs saw the field, and each of them was able to be productive and make impressive plays. None of Carolina's QBs made any catastrophic plays that resulted in turnovers.

The snap count for each QB wasn't very even, but all three put enough on film to earn grades. Here's how Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, and Kyle Trask performed under the friday night lights in Jacksonville

Bryce Young

Throwing just six passes, Young made the most of his limited action in Jacksonville. Young finished the game completing 5 of 6 pass attempts, totaling 49 yards.

Carolina's first drive wasn't pretty at all, but it was primarily because the pass protection was lacking. Young didn't panic with pressure coming his way, and made up for it on the second drive.

Carolina's franchise QB showed a little bit of everything: patience in the pocket before finding Tetairoa McMillan, scrambling away from defenders, and completing a short pass on the sideline.

Young found both Coker and McMillan, which is key as they build more chemistry heading into the 2026 season. McMillan almost scored a touchdown off a short pass from Young but was stopped at the one yard line.

Desicion making looked on point, and Young was able to be consistent and lead the Panthers down the field for what turned into a Jonathon Brooks 1-yard rushing touchdown.

It's important to note that Young and the first team offense played against the Jaguars second team defense, but that just means Young did was he was supposed to do.

GRADE: A

Kenny Pickett

Seeing the most game action of any Panthers QB. Pickett had some ups and downs early in the second quarter, but tightened up and led Carolina into multiple scoring drives.

Pickett finished the night 15/25, for 137 passing yards and a beautiful touchdown pass to Roc Taylor. Carolina's clear QB2's passer rating improved throughout the night, finishing at an 88.2.

60% completion percentage isn't anything to write home about, but Pickett was decisive and made plays when needed.

Pickett's connection with John Metchie III was the highlight of the night. The two connected on multiple chunk plays, and Metchie ended the night with 6 catches for 77 yards, leading Carolina.

GRADE: B-

Kyle Trask

Trask is the newest QB on the roster, being brought in after undrafted free agent Haynes King hurt his hamstring.

Trask did a lot of handing off the ball, but he completed all 4 of his passes for 52 yards and even threw a touchdown pass to Casey Washington. One play that stood out was also to Washington, where Trask rolled out to his right and completed a pass on the move for a first down.

Not much to grade, but nothing negative to takaway from Trask's performance either.

Grade: A

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