Trade Speculations Surround Former No. 1 Pick Bryce Young

The 2023 No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young, once hailed as the future face of the Carolina Panthers, has been the subject of trade inquiries from multiple teams following his demotion from the starting quarterback position. In a surprising turn of events, the Panthers opted to bench Young after a difficult start to the 2024 season, promoting veteran Andy Dalton as the starter for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the team’s struggles, Carolina’s head coach Dave Canales expressed his belief in Young’s long-term potential as a franchise quarterback. The sudden shift in Young’s role has led to a flurry of speculation about his future, with numerous teams reportedly interested in acquiring the young quarterback.

Young’s Struggles and Decision to Bench Him

Bryce Young’s rookie season has been anything but smooth. After just 18 career games, Young has experienced significant struggles on the field, throwing for 245 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in the 2024 season alone. Completing just 55.4 percent of his passes, Young’s passer rating of 44.1 is alarmingly low, ranking him among the worst in recent league history. If sustained over a full season, this passer rating would be the lowest since Ryan Leaf’s disastrous 1998 campaign. The decision to bench Young was made after the Panthers dropped to an 0-2 start, further complicating the young quarterback’s development and future with the team.

Andy Dalton Steps In as Starter

With Young on the bench, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has been named the starter for the Panthers’ upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowler, joined the Panthers in 2023 and had already filled in for an injured Young during Week 3 of that season. In that game, Dalton put up solid numbers, passing for 361 yards and two touchdowns, although the team ultimately lost. Dalton’s experience and leadership are now being counted on to help the Panthers turn their season around, but questions remain about whether this move signals the end of Young’s tenure as the franchise quarterback.

Trade Inquiries and Panthers’ Response

Despite the decision to bench Bryce Young, Panthers coach Dave Canales has made it clear that the team is not actively looking to trade him. However, the NFL is a business, and with Young’s demotion, several teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the former No. 1 pick. The possibility of trading Young has sparked discussions about his future, although Canales remains confident in his potential, stating that Young still has what it takes to be the Panthers’ franchise quarterback. The interest from other teams indicates that there is still belief in Young’s talent, even if his early performances have raised concerns.

Recent History of No. 1 Pick Trades

Should the Panthers decide to trade Bryce Young, he would join a list of No. 1 picks who have been dealt away by their original teams. The most recent example is Baker Mayfield, who was traded to the Panthers by the Cleveland Browns in 2022 after starting 59 games. Sam Bradford, the No. 1 pick in 2010, was traded by the St. Louis Rams to the Philadelphia Eagles after 49 starts, though his limited playing time was due to injuries. JaMarcus Russell, the infamous 2007 No. 1 pick, was benched and eventually released after just 25 starts for the Oakland Raiders. These examples highlight the unpredictable nature of quarterback careers in the NFL, and Young could find himself in similar company if a trade materializes.