JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A preseason game does not a team make.

Teams are forged in the long, hot days on the practice field, repping a play over and over just to get the smallest detail right. Teams are molded in the regular season, when games are on the line, and someone has to make a play.

Less than 15 snaps in a preseason game aren't going to create a season-long identity in terms of how an offense will unfold a game plan.

"I think a lot of it is just practice and establishing during the season," explained quarterback Bryce Young. "Obviously, preseason is a big part of training camp and the development and being able to go out there in a game environment; that's big.

"But I don't think it's something you do in one night. I don't think it's something you're doing in, even, three or four for us. You have to do that day in and day out. You have to prove that to yourselves every day. Camp is way bigger than just these games, and then obviously you have to carry that into the season."

But those snaps and those games can certainly help. Because as the Panthers offense displayed in Friday night's 34-17 preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, finding a rhythm and finding out what you have in skill players can begin to hint at an identity.

"It's really valuable for us," admitted coach Dave Canales, particularly referring to the second possession of the night, during which the first team offense scored on a seven-play, 58-yard drive.

"And while we can't overreact to what happens on any drive — we don't get to pass judgment on what's going to happen in the game — it does build confidence, and it gets the guys, it gets the defense into a place where they have to reset for the next down. The pass protection gets a little bit better, guys start to get that rhythm, and it is important.

"So, it was good to get that drive going, make some critical plays there, and for the guys to kind of feel this is what it's supposed to feel like."

What it was "supposed to feel like" meant a good clip of runs, something that helped Jonathon Brooks build more of a lather as he prepares to take the field after a December 2024 ACL tear, but also opened up the passing game to involve rookie of the year, Tetairoa McMillan.

"Of course you always want to go out there, every time you want to score," said Young. "I think for us, coach talks all the time; we're so process-oriented. We're not too big picture; 'If we don't do this, what does it mean?' And all that. We just want to put the tape out there. Whenever we go out there, we don't take that for granted, anytime it's a game situation. We want to maximize that.

"Still left one out there and then we got one in the paint, which is great, something to build off of, but you don't want to get too high. I don't want to get too low.

It also meant responding to adversity after a preseason game last week in Buffalo in which the first-team offense played nine snaps but only had three drives, all three-and-outs, to show for it.

"That was a great improvement," expressed Canales. "Really like seeing the run game go, and once that starts rolling, it just makes everything exactly how we want it on the offensive side, gives us options and some better D&Ds (downs and distances), but I was really proud of the group in terms of just playing clean ball; five penalties, pretty clean day."

That offensive confidence bled through the entire game, even after the starters were done for the day. It exhibited itself in flashes amongst a slew of guys.

Guys like Jimmy Horn Jr., who finished with 85 all-purpose yards across receptions, rushing (a 39-yard end-around), and returns on special teams.

"Jimmy, every game, every single game, we show up and he looks fast," bragged Canales. "He had the nice end around today, had a really nice catch down the field, and had a 30-yard (29 but who's counting) kick return at one point too.

"So, Jimmy's making a really strong case for himself in terms of helping our team, and I'm excited to see him, especially just continue to grow in our concepts where the guys trust him. They know he's going to be available, and that's what he's been doing."

A lot of Horn's work, such as the end-around, has been in space, where he can use his shiftiness and speed to make defenders look silly. On that rush, Horn was racing down the Panthers sideline, eyes on the end zone, and could feel his teammates running alongside him.

"I felt the energy," he smiled after the game.

And igniting that energy is one of the important parts of these games.

"He's just, he's so fun to watch," grinned Young. "Fun to throw to when I am out there, just that explosiveness, how dynamic he is."

The confidence flashed in other guys, like veteran running back AJ Dillon, who just keeps pushing piles on every run this preseason.

"He's a big man, and when we talk about our scheme, there's a right way to run the ball, whether we're running mid-zone, whether we're running duo, or we're running our stretch plays, and he does it right," shared Canales. "He presses the heels of the linemen, gets on the combos. It's really friendly for the linemen when he does that."

It even flashed in plays in the second half, when most people have flipped off preseason games, but those on the field are still proving how they can fit into this offseason, whatever the identity may be.

Such was the case with John Metchie III, who finished as the leading receiver with six receptions for 77-yards. Or the Kenny Pickett to Roc Taylor touchdown throw in the third quarter, a pass Young called "a perfect spot." And again on the Kyle Trask to Casey Washington touchdown in the fourth quarter, a play on which Washington refused to be denied.

"When I caught it and then when I turned around, I saw the end zone and I was like, there's no way, like there's no way he's going to get me down," joked Washington of his 15-yard catch-and-run score.

There is one more preseason game to play, and Canales hasn't yet decided whether starters will play. Some, like Xavier Legette, are still recovering after he was rolled up on during practice on Wednesday and was in a boot Friday night. Canales said they hope to see him by the end of the week, but that's still to be determined.

Regardless of what happens, the Panthers offense now has two games on each end of the spectrum, along with all the lessons from each.

One preseason game does not a team make. But the response to it can shape a season.

"So I think for us, as a team, as identity, it was definitely a step in the right direction today, all phases," Young shared. "I was super proud. You know you don't want to get too high or too low. So, figure out how we can replicate the good and then still play.

"It's one preseason game. So, learn from it, grow, and get ready to get back to work."