One of the biggest stories in the NFL this season has been the Panthers benching quarterback Bryce Young. Just a season ago Young was being looked at as the guy that was going to save the Panthers. Be the best quarterback the franchise has seen since Cam Newton. If you go off how he dominated the SEC at Alabama that wasn’t a crazy take. However, with how poorly things have gone in the little over a year since he joined the NFL, people are questioning why he was the first overall pick at all.
Yet, despite how poorly things have gone for Young it would be unfair to completely write him off. Especially after what we’ve seen from former quarterbacks who were considered busts over the past few seasons. We have seen career renaissances from guys like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith. With Young still being only 23 years old, it’s not crazy to say all he needs is a fresh start somewhere else. However, regardless of the rest of Young’s career, he won’t be able to shake that bust label.
Why Will Young Never Get Past The Bust Label
There are two main reasons why Young will never be able to get over the label of being a bust. However, neither of them has anything to do with what Young has done on the field. It all has to do with everything surrounding where he went in the draft.
The Trade
The first reason is what it cost the Panthers to get Young. The Panthers had to give up the farm to move up to the number one pick. In case you need a reminder the Panthers gave up WR D.J. Moore, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. This is a franchise-alternating return for the Bears, but it put pressure on Young. Since the Panthers gave up a package that could help them build a great core there was pressure on Young to be a star from day one.
This is a trade that’s going to follow him around for the rest of his career. Especially if the Bears turn that haul into a championship-caliber roster. The trade will go down with the likes of the Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams trade. Massive overpayments that were great for one side, but terrible for the other. That reputation will hurt the public’s perception of Young regardless of what he does.
The Other Quarterbacks Drafted
The second reason is the other quarterbacks drafted after him. Regardless of position we always compare players with the other players drafted at the same position. When looking at the other quarterbacks draft two stand out C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson. Now sure Richardson isn’t a star. He’s been facing injury and has underperformed at times. However, he’s also shown flashes of being a franchise-caliber quarterback. He just needs more time to develop.
Stroud on the other hand has been a star since entering the league. He was a big part of the Texans’ turnaround and won the AFC South last season. He was a pro bowler and the offensive rookie of the year. Now it’s not guaranteed that Stroud would have that success with the Panthers. But many would figure we would see flashes of that potential and the Panthers would be in a better position. That’s something that will follow Young for the rest of his career, and hurt the way people see him as a quarterback. The first overall pick that has been outplayed by the guy drafted behind him. Whether it’s fair or not that is the reputation that will follow Young.
Thanks for reading! Credit for my feature image goes to Michael Reaves. You can find more NFL content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter/X.
