The Bryce Young era has gotten off to a rocky start in Carolina. In an attempt to right the ship, the Panthers plan to simplify the playbook from now on, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. In pulling back the reign, the Carolina brass hopes to get more production from the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Report: The #Panthers are simplifying things for 1st overall pick QB Bryce Young including cutting down on verbiage, per @RapSheet
Rap: "When you look at some of the other rookies, Anthony Richardson, C.J. Stroud, they get to the line, they snap the ball and they run the play."… https://t.co/eyzXmjppCI pic.twitter.com/KK0HC5icfQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 12, 2023
“With Bryce Young, it’s like everything else, it’s protection, it’s adjustments, it’s a lot… it does seem like it’s been too much,” said Rapoport while talking on NFL Plus.
Rapoport added, “When you are not able to understand what’s in front of you when you are unsure, it makes you play slower and look slower.” He continued, “Now, they’ve pulled back a lot. It is time for Young to really play and begin the process to show why they had drafted him.”
Bryce Young: Rookie Outlook
Carolina Panthers rookie Bryce Young has struggled to perform in 2023. The former first-overall pick has completed 64% of his passes for 750 yards and five scores against four interceptions. Additionally, the Panthers are winless with Young under center but have their lone win when he got shelved with an injury. However, Young is fresh off his best start of his rookie campaign, going 25-of-41 for 247 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions.
Fellow Rookie QBs Shine while Bryce Young Slowly Develops
Bryce Young’s shortcomings have come on the heels of fellow rookie quarterbacks C.J. Stroud (Texans) and Anthony Richardson (Colts) playing well. Stroud has been excellent, tossing seven touchdowns against zero interceptions. He averages nearly 300 passing yards per game, and the Texans are just one win away from matching their entire total from last season. Meanwhile, Richardson has shown his dual-threat ability, tallying seven touchdowns in four games despite leaving two games due to injury.
The Panthers selected Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson. Young was the first overall pick, Stroud went second to the Texans, and the Colts picked Richardson with the fourth overall pick.