With all the hype on this year’s class of rookie quarterbacks, does it feel like folks are ignoring last year’s No. 1 pick, Panthers QB Bryce Young?
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, the No. 2 pick of 2023, was the dazzling standout of last year’s class, leading Houston to the second-round of the AFC playoffs. Meanwhile, Young and the rest of the Panthers put up the worst numbers in the NFL with only victories. The quarterback always takes the blame whether or not it’s his fault.
At least one NFL analyst is predicting success for Young, the former Alabama star and Heisman winner. Bucky Brooks with the NFL Network named his 2024 “All-Breakout Team.” The caveat was that none of the players on the list had made All Pro or a Pro Bowl.
Young was Brooks’ choice at quarterback. He wrote:
“A disappointing rookie season spurred a mass exodus from Young’s bandwagon, but I believe last year’s No. 1 overall pick can bounce back under new head coach Dave Canales. The quarterback guru just helped Baker Mayfield resurrect his career in Tampa; now Canales can perform his magic in another NFC South city, helping Young regain his swagger in Charlotte.
“As the coach reshapes the Panthers’ offense to feature more quarterback-friendly concepts with better weaponry at Young’s disposal, the talented gunslinger could re-emerge as the blue-chip player who won a Heisman Trophy at Alabama and entered the 2023 NFL Draft as the belle of the ball.”
There’s an odd symmetry from last year’s quarterback class to this one. The Panthers traded with the Bears last year for the No. 1 pick and the opportunity to select Young. Carolina recorded the worst record in the NFL, so the Panthers would’ve had the top choice in 2024. However, their first-round selection was part of last year’s trade. So the Bears were able to pick Caleb Williams, who now is sucking up so much attention as everyone ponders whether he can turn around Chicago.
The Panthers suffered through a tumultuous season in 2023. Head coach Frank Reich was fired 11 games into his first year in Carolina. Ten losses will do that. The Panthers hired Dave Canales, who had been the offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay. As Brooks wrote, he resurrected Mayfield’s career as a starter. Before the Bucs, Canales helped bring back Geno Smith in Seattle after Russell Wilson left the Seahawks.
Because Canales now is in control in Carolina, there is optimism that Young will find his way in the NFL. And the new head coach likes what he sees in the young Panthers quarterback.
“He’s curious, and he really challenges himself,” Canalestold Sports Illustrated. “He challenges himself to be great. He’s not satisfied with technique. He works on it to master it. He’s very methodical in how he goes about his studying, wants to know what’s happening with the routes, wants to hear the information. I love the curiosity that he brings to his work every day, and he’s got a patience about him too. He’s open to trying stuff.”
The Panthers start training camp July 24. So we’ll soon get an idea of how much of a bounce back Young will have in 2024.
To check out all of Brooks’ list, click it here.
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