Bryce Young did not work out in Carolina, but the Alabama product could earn another opportunity with a trade. Selected with the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young started right out of the gate but struggled to make a positive impact for the Panthers. Making 16 starts as a rookie, the quarterback went 2-14 while completing just 59.8% of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with one of the worst supporting casts in the league.
Carolina spent the offseason adding talent to the offensive side of the ball with players like Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, wide receiver Diontae Johnson, and first-round pick Xavier Legette. Young still struggled, completing just 55.4% of his passes for 245 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions through two weeks before head coach Dave Canales decided to roll with Andy Dalton. There’s no coming back from something like this, but Bryce Young could earn a second chance with a trade to the Miami Dolphins or Baltimore Ravens.
Dolphins, Ravens Could Trade For Bryce Young
Tua Tagovailos is on the injured reserve list, meaning he’ll miss at least four games as he works his way back from yet another concussion. While Tagovailoa technically could return in October, it’s hard to envision a world where he only misses four games. The former first-round pick has a long history of concussions, and this latest one could spell the end of his season, if not his career. Head coach Mike McDaniel hasn’t given a return timeline for his franchise quarterback, so perhaps a Bryce Young trade could help keep their season afloat.
Seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson has played as well as could be expected in place of Tagovailoa, but he’s no franchise quarterback. Bryce Young struggled with the Panthers, but there is a chance he could get his career back on track with a trade. McDaniel is one of the league’s finest offensive minds, and we’ve seen quarterbacks salvage their careers as soon as they leave Carolina. Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield both struggled with the Panthers but are thriving with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. Perhaps Young could be the next success story with McDaniel, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle.
Backup Work In Baltimore
Of course, there is a chance that nobody will trade to make Bryce Young their starting quarterback. The former first-overall pick might have to accept life as a backup, and if that happens, the Baltimore Ravens would be a fantastic destination. Despite their 0-2 record, the Ravens remain one of the NFL’s strongest rosters and should be competitive throughout the season. However, as currently constructed, an injury to Lamar Jackson would effectively end the season.
With Tyler Huntley now in Miami, the Ravens would have to put their faith in Josh Johnson if Jackson goes down. A season-ending injury would destroy the Ravens regardless of who the backup quarterback is, but Baltimore needs someone who could keep the ship afloat if the two-time NFL MVP has to miss a few weeks of action. Josh Johnson is a career journeyman who cannot do this, but Bryce Young might have the talent to get the job done.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
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