CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers wanted to spark a few fireworks on Friday night, their first preseason action of the year, and a chance to show what the offense has been working on this offseason.

They got them when Bryce Young and Jalen Coker connected on a scramble pass, capping the second drive of the night with a touchdown.

"We talk about just starting the second play after the 2.7 (second mark), and then a couple guys same spot; Jalen did a great job of feeling that," Young explained. "(I'm) always trying to give direction, make sure we're on the same page, work scramble drill, and Jalen did a great job of navigating it and also keeping his feet in bounds. So yeah, it was a great play."

Coker came in with the first team offense after Xavier Legette was ejected (along with Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins) for a fight earlier in the drive. Seven plays later, he was peeling off a defender, following Young's directions to get in a hole at the back of the end zone and pull in the 5-yard touchdown pass.

"Jalen Coker comes in when Xavier goes out and did a fantastic job, like we didn't skip a beat, made some great plays," bragged head coach Dave Canales.

The Panthers saw flashes last season of what Coker can be. The undrafted free agent came in as a rookie, made his way onto the active roster by Week 4 when Adam Thielen was injured, and proceeded to make his mark on an offense that was ascending as the season wore on.

But Canales and the Panthers staff knew he was capable of more. And after the team signed Hunter Renfrow in the offseason, and drafted Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall in the draft, both Coker and coaches knew he was going to have to tap into that well to earn a place in a suddenly crowded wide receivers room.

"All it is is just making the team better," said Coker of the additions. "So, I mean, all I can do is step my game up, and that's all everyone else expects from me, too."

As the Panthers were preparing to break for the offseason—a time when players unplug, try to relax, but are also largely responsible for their own training—Canales, vice president of player health and performance Denny Kellington, and director of performance Josh Hingst, all sat down with Coker ahead of the break and came up with a plan.

"It was a collective effort. It was a collective effort to help Jalen take the next step in his career, you know, coming off a rookie season and having a plan for your off-season," explained Canales. "It was really a collective group to all sit down, put our heads together and say, OK, we have a plan for you from now until training camp, and I promise you, if you stick to this plan, you'll see good results."

Coker did stick to the plan; he even stayed in Charlotte for those five weeks, committing to spending his time away as close as possible so that he could come back better than ever.

"It was just a lot of communication with the strength staff, having a, just a calendar of what I'm going to do every day, make sure that it's evened out with tough days and then lighter days, even the load," shared Coker.

"But they've really taken care of me and I don't think I would be, you know, where I am right now without their help and everything that the organization has done for me."

A big part of the plan, Coker shared, was losing weight and limiting the soft tissue injuries that plagued him at times last season with specific training. The receiver feels confident that part of the problem has been addressed.

"I think we figured it out. We got some guys a part of the team that have been helping me, and it was a long process, but I think we've got it nailed down," said Coker. "I feel great, so I mean I think it was definitely worth it and I'm glad that I did it."

Doing work off the field, though, means nothing if it doesn't show up on the field. So, while Friday night was just a preseason game in which the starting offense only played two drives (Coker continued to stay on the field when backup quarterback Andy Dalton came in as well, even pulling in a one-handed 34-yard catch that was called back for an offensive holding at the line) his two receptions for 17-yards and one touchdown—plus the negated play—showed Canales and teammates that Coker is ready to hit a new gear in his second year.

"He's been on a mission, and it shows up," said Young. "It showed up today. It's showing up during camp, showed up during OTAs, that's just the kind of player, kind of worker he is. So, it's great to see that come to fruition today."

Those plays on offense weren't the only part that excited Canales, though. After playing only 31 snaps on special teams last season, Coker has found a new role there this year.

"I can't wait to watch a special teams reel because he was on a couple of the teams and was available most of the night to help out that way too, and so, I'm really proud of him," said Canales.

Adding the special teams aspect to his game was part and parcel of the offseason work and finding a way to stand out in such a crowded room.

"I think I was lucky last year to kind of step into that role of wide receiver three, four. So this year, I mean, it's a packed room, so I'm going to need to bring more than just catching the football," admitted Coker, who did play special teams in college. "We've got a lot of guys that can play. So if it needs to be punt or kick off or return, you know I'm there for that."

There are still two preseason games to play before the regular season begins, and a lot of receivers who want to touch the ball as coaches are watching closely. But as Jalen Coker and Canales walked off the field Friday night, it was with a sense of excitement, both about the work the receiver has put in to get here, and the possibility of what it can mean for the future.

"I'm proud of his response," said Canales. "When I see a guy smiling, I know he's confident, knows what he's doing, and feels great. So, I'm really happy that Jalen came and showed up tonight."