HOUSTON — There's an eternal dichotomy that comes with preseason games. The desire to keep players healthy, starters fresh, and the game plan for the season hidden, combined with the competitiveness to play every second, drives those on the field.

That came into effect on Saturday, as the Panthers' starting offense was pulled after two drives that were not the best of showings.

"Obviously, you want it to go well early, get it done fast, and didn't get that done today," admitted quarterback Bryce Young after the 20-3 loss against the Texans in the second preseason game.

The Panthers first offensive possession ended in a de facto three-and-out—also known as a four-and-out that included an extra play due to a defensive flag. That first play (and the one that was negated by the defensive flag) saw Bryce Young roll out on a bootleg and heave one downfield for Xavier Legette. It was short, and Derek Stingley turned back for the interception.

It was essentially a free throw for Young, since Ja'Tavion Sanders was getting held down to the ground in front of him. It was also a good reminder for the QB on the lesson that has helped him grow from those decisions that plagued his rookie season and the early part of last year.

"Our QB coach does a great job of saying make the next right decision," Young said. "You're not always going to make the first perfect one, but myself, the unit, everyone as a team, we want to be efficient, as an operation, and I think that that's something we're all pushing each other for.

Still, after a short Chuba Hubbard run, the offense tried another big play downfield, targeting rookie Tetairoa McMillan on a deep crossing route. The No. 8 overall pick attempted to bring the ball in one-handed, since it was a little high, but couldn't fully get his palm on it. The next play, Sanders popped up the pass, causing it to roll around harmlessly while the punt team jogged onto the field.

The second drive provided even less and was capped with a Young sack by Mario Edwards Jr. It could have been a deflating play to leave on, but Young promised he and the offense focused on the feedback from coaches instead.

"I trust the coaching staff above all else," Young preached. "Like I'm a competitor, you know, I think if you ask everyone here, you want to play every play, that's just how we're wired as as individuals, as a team, but ultimately, you know, I trust in Coach, he has a plan.

"Everyone in the front office has a plan, you know, they don't just roll dice and figure out what to do. They know what's going on and we're all bought into that process."

There was a vision behind the play-calling, with a clear plan and identity in place, but the minutiae on each play created a chasm in the results, giving the Panthers' starting offense a blueprint on which to work in the final two weeks before the regular season to avoid another painfully slow start, like the one in 2024.

"I think the cool part for me is it allows us to coach our guys hard on the fundamentals of football, which is the reason why we come away with three points, which is the reason why, you know, teams are sustaining drives, different things like that," expressed Canales.

"It comes down to the basics, comes down to playing your leverage, knowing your assignment, and then finishing the play, who's going to make the plays for us?"

Heading into this game, the plan was to have the starters play three series. But after reviewing the practice tape from the joint session on Thursday, in conjunction with how the first two drives on Saturday went, there wasn't as much of a need according to Canales.

"I just wanted them to go out and earn another series," explained Canales. "And I just really felt like, you know, with giving him two shots to do it and it not coming up, I wasn't going to just put him back out there to kind of say, hey, let's just play some more football. That kind of paired with we got great work two days ago, and I just kind of looked at it that way."

There is a grain of salt to be taken here. This was a preseason game, where the rules are a little like Whose Line Is It Anyways—the points don't matter—and a games worth of judgement is being put on six plays.

But from top to bottom, this was an offensive performance that the Panthers know doesn't meet their standards; granted, nothing ever should.

"I mean we try to get better every day," said receiver Hunter Renfrow. "You ask me in mid-November if this offense is where it needs to be, it's probably not, right? You have to keep getting better and keep building on the little things. So, yeah, I'm excited because I see them practice every day. See those guys making plays and excited just to be a part of it."

Canales revealed the starters will not play in the final preseason game on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, making the two practices this week even more important. As the Panthers leave Houston, though, it's with both a renewed urgency to shore up the small things and a trust in what they are building long term.

"I feel comfortable. I have all the confidence in the world in this group," said Young. "I'm excited for where we're going. I'm excited where we're headed. I'm excited for us to continue to go.

"I'm excited for us to get out there and compete during this upcoming week, and I'm, yeah, I'm really, really excited for the future."