Thunderbolt for the Panthers, after only 18 games, Bryce Young is sidelined. The first round of the 2023 draft had a mediocre rookie season (59.8% completions, 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions) and an even worse start to the 2024 season! So much so that voices were quickly raised to call for his head. Dave Canales (HC) listened to them.
Andy Dalton replaces Bryce Young. The veteran brings guarantees that will be necessary for Carolina. This decision also seems like a strategy to protect the young quarterback. Because today, more than that of the Panthers, it is the fate and career of Bryce Young that are called into question.
Bryce Young: a historical case
Before placing Bryce Young in any hierarchy of frankly not good, it is important to recall the context of his arrival at the Carolina Panthers.
Bryce Young is a first-round draft pick. A player whose selection above all others demonstrates his talent at the college level, his potential and above all his duty to succeed. This pressure to win, to become the face of a franchise is already an important point that the young quarterback has not seemed to be able to overcome.
But this pressure is a little more stifling in Young's case. Because the Panthers put together a trade specifically for him, well before the draft. To obtain the ultimate right to the No. 1 pick, Scott Fitterer, the general manager at the time, sent the Bears: DJ Moore (WR), his 2023 first and second round picks (No. 9 and No. 61 overall), his 2024 first round pick (No. 1 overall) and his 2025 second round pick. Bryce Young is therefore worth much more than a “simple” first draft pick. His current failure is therefore all the more stinging.
Last but not least, the former Alabama quarterback suffers from the comparison with the player selected just behind him. A player who could have taken his place at the Panthers and especially a player who is experiencing early success: CJ Stroud. The Texans quarterback has already participated in the playoffs, a Pro Bowl and won the title of offensive rookie of the year.
The Hero of Zeros
Is Bryce Young really that bad? Let's cut to the chase. Yes, Bryce Young is off to a disastrous start to his career that warrants his early dismissal. But there is a glimmer of hope.
The panel of quarterbacks labeled ” bust ” is broad. If we narrow the field down to recent players with fairly substantial playing time (18 games minimum, like Bryce Young) and with a high draft pick (Top 3), three players stand out in addition to our target of the day: Zach Wilson, JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf.
Over the first 18 games of his career, Bryce Young has thrown for more yards, completed more passes and thrown more passes than his fellow players. But he is much less aggressive in a league that extends the running game with short passes. Bryce Young has thrown few touchdowns (11) for more interceptions (13). Young also has the advantage of gaining a few yards on the ground, more than the rest of the quartet. Ryan Leaf remains unplayable for the title of ” bust » in chief.
Advanced statistics bring some depth to the analysis. However, they are not to the advantage of the Panthers quarterback. In terms of efficiency, on passing situations, Bryce Young is inferior to Zach Wilson. Over their first 18 career games, the North Carolina quarterback generates -162.5 EPA against -101.8 for the New York quarterback (EPA = Expected Points Added, Editor's note. What are EPAs? Full explanation here). A significant difference.
Dave Canales has a plan, but what is it?
The head coach has a plan. After reviving Geno Smith's career in Seattle and Baker Mayfield's in Tampa Bay, the offensive-minded coach took over the Panthers with full knowledge of the facts. Bryce Young was already there, freshly drafted and with all the flaws we see in him. It's hard to believe that Dave Canales will give up so quickly.
After the last Sunday meeting, the head coach once again hammered home his love for his young player. Dave Canales even outlined areas for improvement:
“We're going to continue to push and address the things that we need fundamentally, from a schematic point of view, all of those things.”
After watching game tape and discussing his intentions with Charlotte decision-makers, the head coach made his choice himself. He justified himself in discussions with NFL Media.
Dave Canales supported a short-term decision, “I hate to sound like a broken record but I owe it to the guys…everybody involved, I have to be critical of what we do on video and what I see, and make sure I'm consistently making the best decision for the team every week.” Overnight the narrative changed drastically.
Now, two directions are possible for the Panthers and Bryce Young. This exile from the starting team could be very beneficial. Away from the field, Young could work on his fundamentals, especially his lower body. In the opinion of specialists (JT O'Sullivan) Bryce plays too much on his toes, without stability or foundation to develop both strength and precision. The quarterback could also regain confidence currently lost. Or, it could already be the total split between a coach and his player.
