Bryce Young’s suddenly uncertain NFL future is playing out in real time.
Selected with the No.1 overall pick in the 2023 draft and once viewed as the Carolina Panthers‘ long-term answer at quarterback, the undersized Young now sees his name bouncing between trade rumors and anonymous sources.
GettyBryce Young is caught in the middle of Panthers drama after being benched[/caption]
Young was benched for Week 3, with the winless Panthers turning to 36-year-old veteran Andy Dalton.
In the hours leading up to Sunday’s schedule, there were reports that Carolina was already fielding trade calls for the 5ft 10in Young.
“Several teams have expressed an interest in trading for quarterback Bryce Young,” ESPN reported.
“The Panthers have been contacted by certain teams, according to league sources, while other teams have mulled a Young trade within their own organizations.”
But another report indicated that the Panthers already hope to turn back to Young, and he will start again for Carolina during the 2024 season.
“The NFL has not seen the last of Bryce Young as the Panthers’ starting QB,” NFL Network reported.
“In fact, his benching following Carolina’s Week 2 loss to the Chargers should be viewed as more of a break than anything.”
The Panthers’ decision to abruptly bench Young after just two games stunned the league and caught the 23-year-old QB off guard.
Even LeBron James weighed in.
“As a competitor, obviously not how you dream of what’s going to happen,” Young said.
“It wasn’t something I necessarily was expecting. Obviously, it was not something that was great to hear.”
GettyAndy Dalton, center, has taken over for Young at QB[/caption]
GettyYoung rarely had help with Carolina and was benched after 18 games[/caption]
Carolina’s move to bench Young just 18 starts into his pro career appeared to indicate that the struggling Panthers, who were the NFL’s worst team last year, had completely lost faith in Young.
Since he’s barely played a season, the former Alabama star and Heisman Trophy winner needs in-game NFL development to continue to improve.
By taking the ball out of Young’s hands, Carolina is again slowing his pro maturation, which had already featured key changes including head coach, coordinators and wide receivers.
Yet ESPN also reported on Sunday that the Panthers still hope to have Young as their starting QB this season.
“The Panthers … believe there is a chance they could turn to Young again later this season, depending on how the upcoming weeks play out,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted.
NFL fans were left confused by the media back-and-forth, with many pointing out that the confusion captured the poor state of the Panthers’ football team.
“Always good to bench him to start him later to bench him again,” one fan tweeted. “Then presumably draft a QB 1st overall again … “
“Bryce Young should move to a serious organization,” a second fan posted. “The Panthers is a joke of a franchise.”
“What a joke for an organization,” a third fan wrote. “I’d trade him now to get what value I can for him. If I’m Bryce, I’m demanding a trade for a fresh start.”
Young has statistically been one of the worst QBs in the league since he joined the Panthers.
The benched quarterback has only completed 59.3 percnent of his passes for 3,122 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Young signed a four-year, $37.9 million contract.
Carolina entered Sunday 0-2, with Dalton starting at QB and facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
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