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Can Panthers OC Brad Idzik call 'fun' plays for rookie Chris Brazzell II?

Can Panthers OC Brad Idzik call 'fun' plays for rookie Chris Brazzell II? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II could provide quarterback Bryce Young something he has lacked during his three-year NFL career: game-breaking speed and talent.

Described through the draft process as one of coach Dave Canales' "favorite" players, Brazzell stood out during rookie minicamp and this week's opening of the offseason-training activities (OTAs).

Young's early-career struggles have been well documented, highlighted by his Year 2, Week 2 benching. Since re-assuming his starting role midway through 2024, Young emerged as the franchise's long-term signal-caller, leading the Panthers to the NFC South championship last season.

Through his first two-plus seasons, however, Young was rarely called upon to throw downfield outside the hash marks. As a rookie, on a dysfunctional 2-15 squad, the No. 1 overall draft pick was sacked 62 times. It wasn't until last season that Canales, who then served as the primary play-caller, started consistently dialing up downfield opportunities, notably to rookie of the year Tetairoa McMillan. Young displayed "passion" during Tuesday's practice.

With Canales handing the play-calling duties to Idzik this season, the 34-year-old offensive coordinator will be under pressure to take advantage of Brazzell's skillset and provide Young with true game-breaking potential.

"Yeah, it's fun, man," Idzik said during Wednesday's teleconference.

Panthers OC Brad Idzik assumes play-calling role for first time

Relying mostly on McMillan and Jalen Coker down the stretch last season, Young broke out with a 448-yard passing game against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 16, 2025, and finished with an NFL-best 99.7 percent passing grade and 38.9 percent big-time throw rate.

Young established career highs in passing yards (3,011) and touchdown passes (23) last season, but did so without a consistent downfield threat. Will Idzik's play calls provide an extra dimension to the Panthers' offensive attack?

Brazzell, who clocked a 4.37-second, 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, was drafted in the third round to give Idzik extra big-play options.

"It’s pretty obvious," Idzik explained. "When you have a guy who’s not only fast, but a longer athlete, like Chris, that really stretches the safeties and makes them hesitate (in coverage) for one more second on driving on intermediate and underneath (routes).”