The Intriguing Trade Possibilities for Bryce Young

Despite Carolina Panthers’ coach Dave Canales’s announcement that the team has no plans to trade former No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young, insiders in the NFL have shared that several teams have expressed a keen interest in acquiring the quarterback. The whispers of a potential trade have been circulating within other team franchises, sparking speculation about a possible change of plans for the Panthers. The consensus among many insiders is that a deal involving the sophomore quarterback might not be far off, likely materializing in the offseason.

The Panthers’ Strategy: Retaining Young for Now

Currently, the Panthers have no immediate intention of letting Young go. They envision him as a backup for their newly assigned starter, Andy Dalton. Sources indicate that depending on how the rest of the season unfolds, the Panthers might consider reinstating Young. Despite his recent benching in favor of Dalton, and his subpar performances that do not reflect his No. 1 draft pick status, Young is still projected to offer some trade value to the Panthers. However, this value will fall significantly short of what the Panthers had initially invested in trading up to acquire him during the draft.

A Historical Perspective: Previous Trades of First-Round Quarterbacks

Examining past trades of first-round quarterbacks, in 2019 the Cardinals dealt their 2018 first-round draft pick, Josh Rosen, to the Dolphins in exchange for a second-round pick. Just last year, three former first-round quarterbacks were traded. The Jets swapped their former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson and a seventh-round pick for a sixth-round pick from the Broncos. Justin Fields, a former first-round pick, was traded by the Bears to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick, potentially increasing to a fourth-rounder based on playtime. Lastly, the Patriots traded their former first-round pick Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick.

The Impact of Young’s Performance on the Panthers

The Panthers’ record with Young as their starting quarterback is a disappointing 2-16, marking the worst 18-game start for any quarterback chosen with the top pick in the Super Bowl era, as per ESPN research. The Heisman Trophy winner’s Total QBR this season stands at 9.1, which is one of the lowest in league history for consecutive games.

Despite the setbacks, Young remains optimistic about his future, acknowledging room for improvement. The struggling quarterback has also found support among his teammates, with running back Miles Sanders and veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen voicing their confidence in his potential.

Looking Forward: The Panthers’ Next Move

As the Panthers prepare for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders with Dalton as their starting quarterback, the lingering question remains: Will they consider trading Bryce Young? Despite Coach Canales’s assertion that a trade is not under consideration, the NFL fraternity continues to speculate. Meanwhile, Young’s teammates stand behind him, anticipating a promising future for the former Alabama star.