Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is one of the bigger names on the trade block, and the Alabama product could increase his value if he makes the most out of his surprise start. The first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young struggled to lead a functioning passing offense headlined by one of the worst supporting casts in football. First-year head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan knew evaluating Young was their top priority, so they spent the offseason rebuilding the offensive line and adding guys like Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette to the wide receiver room.
Despite these additions, Young continued to struggle. Through the season’s first two games, the embattled quarterback completed 31 of his 56 attempts for just 245 yards (4.4 yards per attempt), zero touchdowns, and three interceptions. Canales turned to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, but the longtime Bengal will miss Week 8’s action after injuring his thumb in a car crash. With Young set to face off against a strong Denver Broncos defense, teams like the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens could make a move for him if he put together some good film.
Dolphins, Ravens Could Trade For Byrce Young After Surprise Start
If the 2024 season has taught the Miami Dolphins anything, it’s the value of the backup quarterback position. The offense started slow under quarterback Tua Tagovailoa but collapsed with Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley leading the charge. Tagovailoa should return to the field this week, but Miami needs a better Plan B in case injury strikes again. Bryce Young has not panned out at the NFL level, but there is a reason the trade target was the first-overall pick in the draft. Maybe his height and smaller frame truly are dealbreakers, but a better offensive coach like Mike McDaniel might get something out of the veteran.
The Ravens are in a similar boat. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is a deserving MVP frontrunner, but this team lacks a proven backup. With Tyler Huntley now in Miami, the Ravens are one bad snap away from placing their offense in the hands of career journeyman Josh Johnson. Johnson is a great locker room guy, but the Ravens need a player with more upside to keep the ship afloat if something happens to Jackson. Bryce Young may or may not reach his ceiling in a new environment, but the trade candidate should be able to execute a safe offense led by Derrick Henry.
Will The Panthers Deal Him?
The Panthers need an answer at quarterback, so would they even consider a Bryce Young trade if he plays well against the Denver Broncos? The answer to that question is probably yes. Weird things happen in the NFL, especially in one-game samples. Last year, Mac Jones outplayed Josh Allen in a thrilling 29-25 victory, but he regressed to his normal form for the remainder of the season.
Bryce Young has made 18 starts for the Carolina Panthers, and almost all of them have been awful. One good start won’t erase the past, and it probably won’t be enough to change anyone’s mind in Carolina. If Canales believed Young could turn it around, he wouldn’t have benched him after just two starts in 2024. Only time will tell if Canales and the Panthers are right to give up on the Alabama product, but it’s hard to envision any world where he’s on the team beyond 2024.
Main Photo: Geoff Burke – USA Today Sports
