NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Carolina Panthers are under a microscope heading into the 2023-24 NFL season. While their play on the field will draw eyes, it what’s the coaches will do with their first-round draft pick, most notably, Bryce Young. Will he start Week 1?
Starting a rookie QB has its risks and rewards. On one hand, they can come in and be the next Joe Burrow or they could become the next Zach Wilson. No one knows at this point.
But being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft does say a lot about Young’s potential and where the Panthers are. With QB being the most important position on the team, why would a team select one so high only to have them sit?
For the Panthers, they do have an insurance policy in place with veteran Andy Dalton. If they do elect to start Dalton in Week 1, there is no real chance that Dalton will take Young’s position for good no matter how well he plays, right? However, if the team gets off to a great start, what will they do? Dalton has won before and he fully understands his role as a mentor to Young but production is still production.
It’s not as if the Carolina Panthers are riding a wave after finishing their campaign last season at 7-10. They made moves this offseason to improve on the offensive side of the ball with key acquisitions such as Adam Thielen at receiver and Miles Sanders at running back.
Dalton has the tools to make it work but at what expense? If he plays well through the first 5 weeks and then loses or struggles the next, do they yank him? That’s the issue there. The same if they decide to start Young. This is clearly his team for the foreseeable future but how long are they willing to wait if he’s thrown into the fire too early and struggles? This is a league of what have you done for me lately and most teams don’t have the patience when dealing with rookie QBs anymore.
Normally they’re given 2 years and if they can’t get right, the team is scouting replacements. Young is a quality talent based on his college resume. But the Atalanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not members of the SEC. This is the big leagues and there is little room for error when someone is paying you millions to not only perform but to lead as well.
To help Young blossom, the Carolina Panthers must think long-term here and not be short-sighted like other teams have in the past. For most GMs, the thought is to provide young QBs with speed on the outside and a fast or bruising running back. But what about the offensive line? If a QB can’t stay upright, what does that do to his confidence? He gets happy feet and that’s when mistakes happen.
Will Bryce Young Start Week 1 For Carolina Panthers
For Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers, it’s about protecting their investment. If the analysts are correct, Young is a star in waiting. Adding speedy players is good but are they the players Young needs? The Panthers must build a team that fits his strengths not who feels good to the front office.
If Young is good with short passing routes, then draft or make moves to lure those types of players in. No need to force him to throw 20+ yard passes each time he drops back. In college, Young was surrounded by good receivers and a ground game that took some pressure off his shoulders.
Losing DJ Moore this offseason was a huge blow as he and Young would have been a great pair. But he does have DJ Chark, Terrance Marshall Jr, and Thielen as an insurance policy, and with Sanders in the backfield, Young does have his strong rushing attack.
The rookie season for a QB is meant to be the learning curve. That 2nd season is when they being to put the pieces together. And by their 3rd, everything should fall in place. But some of their success and failures does fall on the shoulders of the front office. the panthers are in a good place if they do believe that Young is not ready. with dalton ready, there’s no need to rush him into action. He’s the future, and that doesn’t mean he has to be the present.
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