Young’s Rough Rookie Year Not Entirely His Fault
Bryce Young, drafted by the Carolina Panthers after a stellar national championship-winning season with Alabama, struggled in his rookie NFL campaign. The Panthers limped to a league-worst 2-15 record, the worst in franchise history. While Young shoulders some blame, the dysfunctional Panthers organization failed the rookie quarterback in many ways.
Young’s numbers – a 60% completion percentage, 2,877 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over 12 starts – were underwhelming. Coming off a Heisman Trophy-winning season at Alabama where he tossed 47 touchdowns in 15 games, much more was expected from the number one overall pick.
However, the Panthers offense lacked weapons, and Young took a pounding behind a porous offensive line. He endured an NFL-high 62 sacks, showing impressive toughness for a player of his smaller stature.
Franchise Turmoil, Poor Supporting Cast Doom Young
The Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule early in the season after starting 1-4. His replacement, Frank Reich, could only coax one more win out of the team, leading to his dismissal as well. The constant turmoil and lack of stability weighed heavily on the rookie quarterback.
Young’s top receiving target was 33-year old Adam Thielen, whose production fell off sharply from his Minnesota Vikings heyday. No other Panthers pass catcher cracked 525 receiving yards, leaving Young throwing to an uninspiring cast of characters.
Miles Sanders, brought in to provide a dynamic rushing threat, failed to eclipse 500 yards on the ground at just 3.2 yards per carry. The Panthers offense lacked weapons across the board, allowing defenses to hone in on stopping Young.
Behind a patchwork offensive line, Young constantly threw under heavy pressure, contributing to mechanical breakdowns and questionable decisions. The Panthers must prioritize surrounding Young with more talent for him to properly develop.
2025 Super Bowl Odds Longest for Panthers
Entering 2023, the Carolina Panthers hold the longest 2025 Super Bowl odds according to BetMGM North Carolina bonus code promotions. After such a dreadful season, a rebuild is clearly in order.
The Panthers do not own a 2024 first-round pick after trading it to acquire Young. However, new coach Dave Canales arrives with a strong offensive pedigree from his play calling days in Tampa Bay. Upgrading the weaponry around Young stands paramount.
With the 13th most salary cap space available, Carolina can be aggressive shoppers in free agency for instant offensive help. The Panthers also own five picks in the first four rounds of the 2024 draft to build for the future.
While the 2025 season likely remains a transition year, better days should be ahead for Young. Surrounding their franchise quarterback with talent and providing stable coaching are the keys to unlocking his immense potential shown at Alabama.
