Teams Eyeing Bryce Young Trade Talks with Panthers

Several NFL teams have shown interest in trading for quarterback Bryce Young, despite Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales stating that the organization does not plan to trade the former No. 1 overall pick. League sources revealed that some teams have reached out to the Panthers, while others have debated internally about the possibility of acquiring Young.

While the Panthers maintain their position against trading Young for the time being, many around the league speculate it may only be a matter of time before a deal is struck, likely during the offseason.

Currently, the Panthers want Young to serve as a backup to their new starting quarterback, Andy Dalton, believing there may be a chance he could return as a starter later in the season depending on how the next few games unfold.

Young was benched in favor of Dalton following a series of struggles, failing to live up to the expectations of being the first overall pick. Despite his challenges, Young still holds potential trade value, although it is significantly lower than what the Panthers once gave up to the Bears to move up and select him.

Past trades of first-round quarterbacks illustrate the varying results teams can expect. For instance, in 2019, the Arizona Cardinals traded Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins for a second-round pick, which they used to select wide receiver Andy Isabella. Similarly, last offseason saw the trades of three former first-round quarterbacks: the Jets dealt Zach Wilson to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick, while the Bears and Patriots traded Justin Fields and Mac Jones to the Steelers and Jaguars, respectively, both for similar compensation.

The Panthers’ record with Young as their starter stands at 2-16, marking the lowest win total through 18 games for any quarterback picked first overall in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Research. Young’s performance this season has resulted in a 9.1 Total QBR, which is among the worst historical metrics for consecutive games.

During a recent interview, Young expressed his surprise at being benched, acknowledging that there were many aspects of his performance that he wished were better. He emphasized his commitment to working hard, growing, and improving.

When pressed about the possibility of trading Young, Coach Canales responded firmly, indicating that it was not a consideration at this point in time.

Teammates have rallied around Young, with running back Miles Sanders stating that it is “definitely not over” for the quarterback. Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen also expressed optimism about Young’s future, noting that he was excited about the skills Young demonstrated during practice. Thielen emphasized that Young is capable of performing at a high level and suggested that stepping back can sometimes provide valuable perspective.

As the Panthers prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, at age 36, will take the starting role. This shift represents a significant moment for the team as they navigate the challenges surrounding their young quarterback and the season ahead.

Source: ESPN