At last year’s NFL combine, there was talk that the Houston Texans wanted to trade up with the Chicago Bears to select Alabama quarterback was the first overall pick. The Carolina Panthers were also interested in moving up from the ninth pick to the second or third pick to select one of the top three quarterbacks, with Young being their preferred choice.
During the combine, the Panthers met with free agent quarterback Derek Carr and discussed the possibility of acquiring Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens in a sign-and-trade deal, with a set dollar figure in mind that they were unwilling to exceed.
Despite concerns about Young’s size (5-foot-10, 204 pounds), which fell below NFL standards, most teams considered him the top choice over Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.
Panthers’ then-general manager Scott Fitterer initiated a meeting with Bears GM Ryan Poles during the combine, leading to a trade for the No. 1 overall pick on March 10. However, Young struggled in his rookie year, while Stroud had a standout season, winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the Texans to the playoffs with a 10-7 record.
Some may question whether the Panthers made a mistake in trading two first-round picks (2023, 2024) and top wide receiver DJ Moore for the right to draft Young. However, NFL executives, coaches, and scouts believe it is too early to judge, as Young could rebound and have a strong year.
Many of those interviewed believe that if C.J. Stroud had been drafted by the Carolina Panthers, he would have struggled, while Bryce Young would have succeeded with the Houston Texans because of the Texans’ better setup for success.
According to an NFL executive who spoke anonymously, Houston had an exceptional offense that would have suited Bryce Young perfectly. The offense also fit C.J. Stroud well, with fewer complexities to manage at the line of scrimmage and many receivers getting open due to the scheme.
In contrast, most agreed that Carolina’s spread offense, led by coach Frank Reich (who was fired after a 1-10 start), lacked the necessary personnel, from the offensive line to tight end to wide receiver, to be successful. There was also dysfunction in Carolina due to a difference in philosophy among Reich, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, and offensive line coach James Campen. The pistol formation, prominently used in the season opener, wasn’t implemented until the week before, highlighting a lack of preparation for Young.
According to one source, “Bryce really didn’t stand a chance.” Another source noted that the Panthers put too much on Young, contributing to his struggles.
These factors, along with the historical challenges faced by No. 1 overall quarterbacks who often join struggling teams, led many in Indianapolis to withhold judgment on Young’s future success.
As Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said, “There’s guys that have lit it on fire that have fizzled, and there’s guys that started slow and came back and played great. Everybody wants to make a prediction without just waiting patiently for the outcome.”
The new Carolina Panthers coach, Dave Canales, believes that Bryce Young doesn’t need major adjustments, but rather, the offense as a whole needs to be fixed to better suit Young’s strengths.
Canales, known for helping quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith achieve career-best seasons, is expected to have a similar impact as Young’s head coach. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles praised Young as a tremendous talent and predicted he would be great for the league.
Regarding the fit between Young and Stroud with their respective teams, Bowles noted that the schemes in Houston may have suited Stroud better initially. However, he emphasized that Young’s rough start does not mean he is not a good quarterback, and the jury is still out on his potential. Bowles expressed belief in Young’s abilities.
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton stated that due to many unknown variables, he couldn’t evaluate whether Young or Stroud will have long-term success. However, he acknowledged Stroud’s great season after facing him.
Sean Payton has indeed demonstrated a knack for maximizing the potential of shorter quarterbacks, as seen with his success with Drew Brees during their time together with the New Orleans Saints. Despite Brees being 6 feet tall, he achieved remarkable success, winning Super Bowl XLIV and earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Payton’s ability to tailor his coaching to suit the strengths of quarterbacks like Brees suggests he may have insights into how to develop Bryce Young’s talents effectively.
Sean Payton highlighted the importance of building a strong offensive line to support quarterbacks like Drew Brees, citing the Saints’ selection of Jahri Evans in the 2006 draft as a key move. Evans became a six-time Pro Bowler and played a crucial role in providing Brees with protection and allowing him to excel.
In contrast, the Carolina Panthers faced challenges in 2023 with instability at the guard positions, leading to seven different players starting at left guard and eight at right guard due to injuries and poor play. This resulted in Bryce Young being sacked 62 times, the second-highest in the league behind Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders (65 sacks).
Payton emphasized the importance of building around the strengths of players, particularly quarterbacks who may need clear passing lanes rather than having to throw over linemen. Carolina’s new coach, Dave Canales, plans to simplify the offense and focus on the running game to help Young regain confidence. Canales’ approach mirrors his success with quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Russell Wilson, whom he helped achieve career-best numbers by building strong interior lines.
