Week 3 will mark the first time in Bryce Young‘s career that he sits for a reason other than injury. The Panthers are relying on Andy Dalton under center for the time being, a move which has led to questions about Young’s future with the team.
[RELATED: Bryce Young Did Not Expect Benching]
The 2023 first overall pick is in place as the Panthers’ backup, and no consideration is currently being given to a trade. Carolina’s return in any Young swap would of course fall well short of the price which was paid to acquire the No. 1 selection last spring, giving the organization incentive to keep him in the fold for now. If a trade were to be worked out, though, Young would appear to be on board.
ESPN’s David Newton reports the 23-year-old is “open to anything” regarding his future, whether that consists of a continued stay in Charlotte or a deal sending him to a new team. Young’s value is low as things stand based on his underwhelming production to date (59.3% completion percentage, 11:13 touchdown-to interception ratio, 5.4 yards per attempt average, 70.9 passer rating), but he is attached to a rookie contract through 2026. For his part, the former Heisman winner has publicly stated a commitment to remaining in Carolina.
“I’m a day-by-day kind of person,” Young said (via Newton). “I’ve talked about that consistently. Big picture stuff, that’s out of my hands. That’s organizational stuff, for the people upstairs. I’m super grateful to be part of the team, with our organization. I want to help in every way I can.”
The Panthers were shut out during the final two games of 2023, and they have scored just 13 points through two weeks this season. Dalton and rookie head coach Dave Canales will be tasked with delivering an improved showing on offense with a unit which saw additions made up front and at the skill positions this offseason. Dalton – who made one start last year when Young was injured – is a pending free agent, and his value will be affected by his performances in the QB1 gig.
How the Panthers proceed with Young will remain a talking point during the 2024 campaign, one which was projected to be founded on Canales’ work in developing him. A trade would be surprising given the lack of a market which presumably exists for him, but Young himself could benefit from (and perhaps even welcome) a change of scenery.
Panthers aren’t trading him. They can’t bite the bullet this early. But his best shot is here. Other teams will give up more quickly than the panthers. He needs to step back, learn, and develop because he will get another shot with them.
Agree. The only thing worse than his performance with the Panthers would be for them to trade him to another team where he excels. He’s a sunk cost, at least for another year or two.
I don’t watch college and I’ve only seen maybe 30 seconds of highlights of him…can anyone explain why he’s SUPPOSED to be a good QB?
Strong arm? Fast runner? What exactly?
Or was he just the QB1 of the best team in college and scouts couldn’t tell the difference?
He was really good in college. Big plays in and out of structure, read the field very well, handled himself in and out of structure well, didn’t collapse under pressure or turn the ball over much. So a lot of it was about feel for the position rather than physical tools. The question is how much of this is him being physically overmatched by the NFL to the point that he can’t translate his strengths to the pros and how much of it is his circumstances creating bad habits, messing with his head, and putting him in a position to fail. I don’t think it’s all one or the other, but it does sure seem like his physical limitations are going to make it very, very hard for him to be a strong NFL QB.
That and his O line can’t keep him upright. His college teammates didn’t have to hold back the more consistently high-caliber rushers coming after him in the NFL.
He has 30 seconds of highlights?
He was never ready to play in his rookie year. They had ZERO talent on offense and yet they played him and obviously he failed. They spent so much on the OL but they relied on Dionte Johnson and Dave Canales to help him evolve. This team gave so many bad contracts to guys that did not deserve it. I think he should’ve stayed on the sideline all last year, observe the schemes/coverages/game speed and read the defenses and learn. I still think he can be a good QB, but his time is not right now. If he gets traded, I can see a team like Miami trying to trade for him. They have playmakers, if Tua isn’t playing, he can start over there similar to what happened to Baker Mayfield. The verdict is still out on him, but playing him more and more will ultimately lead to this franchise more disarray.
He doesn’t want to stay?
Does anyone really strive to play for Carolina at this point?
Hence the Panthers re-setting the OG market w/ their $100m FA’s. Gotta pay top dollar and still be sub .500.
The headline of this post seems like a bit of a reach compared to what has actually been said.
Got to imagine at this point getting sent to Siberia would be and upgrade over the Panthers.
The dude sucks, got benched…..now he wants traded….so he can suck somewhere else
Who on earth would want to trade FOR him?
The dolphins would probably roll the dice
Perform better and it wouldn’t be a concern. Some A-1 athletes out of college get it right away – not many – and many need to watch and learn. Bryce is one of the latter. This is not to say he will never get it…he’s got the talent just needs to watch and learn.