As the Carolina Panthers continue to suffer lopsided defeats, the handling of rookie quarterback Bryce Young has come under scrutiny. The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has seen very limited game action despite the team’s struggles, raising questions about his development and future with the franchise.
Benched After Rough Start
Young began the season as Carolina’s starting quarterback but was benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton after the Panthers started 0-2. Head coach Dave Canales, in his first year at the helm, made the switch in an effort to jumpstart the offense. However, the move has not paid dividends as the losses have continued to pile up.
Blowout Losses, Limited Opportunities
In Sunday’s 40-7 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Commanders, Young once again spent most of the game on the sidelines. Dalton struggled mightily, tossing two interceptions including a pick-six, but Canales stuck with the veteran even as the Panthers fell behind 27-0 by halftime. It wasn’t until garbage time in the fourth quarter, with Carolina trailing 40-7, that Young finally saw the field.
This has become a familiar pattern in recent weeks. As the Panthers have been on the wrong end of blowouts, their prized rookie quarterback has been largely relegated to a spectator role. It’s a curious approach for a team that invested heavily to acquire Young, trading two future first-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears to move up and draft him.
A “Developmentally Minded” Culture?
Coach Canales has described the culture he’s trying to build in Carolina as “developmentally minded.” However, the handling of Young seems to run counter to that philosophy. If the losses continue to mount with Dalton under center, at what point does developing the franchise’s potential quarterback of the future take precedence?
Anytime I get on the field, I’m grateful for that. I don’t take that for granted.
– Bryce Young on his limited playing time
To his credit, Young has remained positive and continued to say the right things. He’s expressed gratitude for any snaps he gets and emphasized that he’s focused on supporting Dalton and helping the team however he can. Still, one has to wonder if the competitor in him is growing restless as he watches the Panthers’ season slip away without getting a chance to make an impact.
Questions About Young’s Future
As the losses pile up and frustrations mount, speculation has begun to swirl about Young’s future in Carolina. With the Nov. 5 trade deadline approaching, the rookie’s name has popped up as a potential trade candidate. While Young has reiterated his desire to remain with the Panthers, the team’s actions (or lack thereof) seem to be sending a different message.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who will be a free agent after the season, has been more forthright in his discontent. “Whatever happens, happens, with that situation,” Johnson said when asked about trade rumors. “It’s a business.” His frustration is palpable and understandable given how the season has unfolded.
Looming Decisions
As the season progresses, the Panthers will have to take a hard look in the mirror and assess the direction of the franchise. Is Bryce Young still viewed as the quarterback of the future or has there been a shift in thinking within the organization? Will he get an extended opportunity to show what he can do or will his rookie year be mostly lost to clipboard duty?
These are the questions that loom large as Carolina tries to salvage something from a season that has gone off the rails. For Young, all he can do is stay ready and make the most of whatever chances he gets. His talent is undeniable, but talent alone isn’t always enough in the harsh realities of the NFL.
The coming weeks and months will be revealing in how the Panthers view Bryce Young and their overall direction as a franchise. Will the “developmentally minded” culture Coach Canales espouses start to manifest on the field or are more changes on the horizon? For a team in search of answers, the handling of their young quarterback will be telling.
