Does it really make sense to judge Bryce Young so harshly after just two games? The quick criticism of his abilities seems premature. Yes, his confidence took a hit, and perhaps he needs to sit behind Andy Dalton for a while to regain his composure, but pinning the Carolina Panthers’ early struggles on Bryce Young alone is both unfair and misguided. The real issue lies with the Panthers’ organization, and more specifically, the mishandling of Bryce Young’s situation, which can be traced back to ownership decisions that have turned an already challenging scenario into a much more complicated one.

The Panthers’ Gamble: How Carolina Overextended for Young

In an attempt to secure their future franchise quarterback, the Carolina Panthers made one of the most aggressive trades in NFL history. They parted with a significant haul, sending wide receiver DJ Moore, the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (which the Chicago Bears used to select offensive lineman Darnell Wright), the 61st pick (used on cornerback Tyrique Stevenson), and two more valuable future picks, including a 2024 first-rounder that is likely to be the #1 overall pick. This upcoming top draft choice would have been used on the star quarterback Caleb Williams, who is considered a generational talent. As of now, though, it’s Bryce Young trying to live up to those impossible expectations.

The Panthers’ massive gamble didn’t just hinge on one player but assumed that Bryce Young would immediately be able to elevate a franchise that had been gutted to make the trade happen. The early signs suggest the organization may have overreached. From the start, the Panthers seemed uncertain about Young’s fit. Their pre-draft indecision showed when assistant coach Josh McCown voiced interest in C.J. Stroud, and owner David Tepper later admitted that drafting Stroud was a strong possibility. Despite these uncertainties, Carolina still placed all its bets on Young.

The Disaster That Was Young’s Rookie Season

Bryce Young’s first year was tumultuous at best. His top target was a 33-year-old Adam Thielen, who was past his prime. Young’s offensive line was ranked among the worst in the NFL, leaving him vulnerable, and his head coach, Frank Reich, was fired mid-season after the Panthers stumbled to an uninspiring start. Given all these factors, most analysts and fans were willing to give Young a pass for his performance in 2023. He was, after all, a rookie, and the situation around him was dire.

The Panthers, too, seemed to recognize that they needed to make significant improvements to help their young quarterback. They hired a new head coach, Dave Canales, who had a solid track record of improving quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. They rebuilt their offensive line, bringing in talented players like Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and getting Austin Corbett back from injury. On paper, it appeared that the Panthers had set the stage for Young to succeed in 2024.

The Shocking Bench

Despite the investments made to support him, Bryce Young’s 2024 season began as disastrously as his rookie year. His first pass of the season was intercepted, and he struggled mightily in his opening two games. The offense looked lifeless, and Young’s decision-making appeared slow and indecisive. The Panthers, now 0-2, stunned the NFL world by benching their prized quarterback after just two games, opting instead to start veteran Andy Dalton.

This decision sent shockwaves through the league. Dave Canales, now in the unenviable position of managing a quarterback controversy, insisted that benching Young was best for the team. He maintained that Young’s performance had been subpar and that Dalton gave the Panthers the best chance to win. Yet, many saw this move as a reaction to pressures from above, particularly from owner David Tepper, whose impatience with quarterbacks has been well-documented.

Since taking over the team, Tepper has cycled through starting quarterbacks with alarming frequency. Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield were all handed the reins of the franchise before being quickly discarded. Now, just two games into Young’s second season, the Panthers seem to be heading down the same path.

The Bryce Young Dilemma: Is It Too Early to Judge?

Bryce Young’s struggles, while undeniable, need to be placed in context. The sample size is incredibly small. After all, it’s only two games into the season. Yes, his numbers through those two games were concerning—Young’s 1.4 QBR was the lowest in the league for any quarterback through the first two weeks of 2024. His average yards per dropback were just 1.1, and in non-garbage time situations, Young had been remarkably ineffective.

But should a franchise really give up on a player they traded so much for after just two games of his second season? While the numbers are alarming, they’re also not entirely surprising given the state of the Panthers’ offense. For example, veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen had shown frustration during games, openly signaling his discontent after being missed on a wide-open play in Week 2. Even with the improvements to the offensive line, Young often found himself under pressure, leading to rushed decisions and inaccurate throws.

Historically, teams that have prematurely given up on their young quarterbacks often come to regret it. Just look at Baker Mayfield’s resurgence in Tampa Bay this season. After being cast off by both the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, Mayfield has bounced back, throwing five touchdowns to just one interception through the first two weeks of 2024, with a 74% completion rate. He’s a prime example of a quarterback who just needed time, the right system, and the right pieces around him to succeed.

Could Young Find Redemption, or Is This It?

At this point, the future looks murky for Bryce Young. The Panthers have invested heavily in him, and it seems unlikely they’ll trade him after such a small sample size of games, especially since his trade value is low. First-round quarterbacks who fail to pan out rarely fetch much in return. Just ask Josh Rosen, who was traded for a second-round pick after a disappointing start to his career, or Nick Foles, who netted a fourth-rounder after underperforming in Jacksonville.

However, if Carolina does decide to move on, there are several potential landing spots for Young. ESPN’s Dan Graziano speculated that teams like the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks could all be interested in acquiring the young signal-caller. Each of these teams has strong pieces in place and could offer Young a fresh start in a less pressure-filled environment.

But is the issue really with Young, or is it with the Panthers’ dysfunctional system? Baker Mayfield himself commented on the situation, noting that quarterback success often depends on the system, coaching, and pieces around them. And let’s not forget, many of the quarterbacks who have cycled through Carolina in recent years have also failed in large part due to the instability within the organization.

For Young, the next few months will be crucial. Whether it’s reclaiming his starting job from Dalton, earning another chance elsewhere, or simply proving that his talent wasn’t overhyped, he’ll need to show resilience. After all, as Mayfield pointed out, Young’s story is far from over.

The Future for Carolina and Young

At the very least, Young still has time on his side. He’s a young quarterback who flashed brilliance during his college career, and there’s no doubt that the talent is there. The Panthers, however, will need to figure out what their long-term plan is. Are they going to stick with Young through these tough times, or are they going to pull the plug and draft another quarterback, potentially Caleb Williams, if they get the first pick in 2024?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Bryce Young deserves more than two games to prove his worth. The Panthers’ organization, with its long history of mishandling quarterbacks, needs to learn patience if they hope to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.