Lea: Bryce Young is not a bust, that attitude is displaced anger
Posted November 5, 2023 10:48 p.m. EST
Updated November 13, 2023 3:45 p.m. EST
Charlotte, N.C. — 24-for-39 passing, 173 yards, three interceptions and a 48.3 passer rating.
Bryce Young deserves all the criticism coming his way after the Carolina Panthers 27-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
What he doesn't deserve, is being called a bust.
Sunday was only Young's seventh start of his NFL career, which is way too early to label anyone a bust, especially when there's dysfunction that surrounds them.
The Panthers offensive line is allowing the fourth most sacks in the NFL per game. Plus, their receivers struggle to get open on their routes. The Panthers defense is tied with the Denver Broncos as the two teams that give up the most points per game at 28.3 per contest.
No one, not even CJ Stroud, would be able to contend with that. Nevertheless, Panthers fans are rushing to call Young a bust.
Exhibit A:
Or even this fan who is apparently jumping ship:
Let's not exclude this guy who of course brings up Stroud:
Since he's been mentioned twice, let's spend some time on Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. Today the Texans had thrilling 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind 470 yards passing and five touchdowns by the number two overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. As stated last week, Young and Stroud will be constantly compared to one another their entire careers. Even though Young and the Panthers beat Stroud and the Texans last Sunday, the infrastructure around Stroud is more solid than what Young has in Charlotte, which allows him to have the video game numbers he put up today.
As the old saying goes, 'comparison is the thief of joy.'
Panthers fans aren't really mad at Bryce Young. Their anger is displaced. Since 2020, the Panthers franchise has given up 11 draft picks in their attempt to find the long-term answer at quarterback. DJ Moore was also traded away along with some of those picks.
They've also traded away Christian McCaffrey.
They traded away Dan Arnold and a third round pick for CJ Henderson, who's tenure in Charlotte has been underwhelming.
They've let Haason Reddick and Stephon Gilmore (both doing well for the Eagles and Cowboys respectively) walk in free agency.
The questionable moves don't stop there. In fact, that could be a column on its own. But these moves are all frustrations among the Panthers fan base. And Bryce Young is the direct result of those moves and that's the key.
Young is the representation of the front office dysfunction. Panthers fans don't like the team's management, so if Young is anything short of 'Superman' (wink wink), games like he had today will only muster up more disdain for the franchise.
So Panthers fans, you're not upset with Young.
You're upset with the front office.
If he's protected, is given proper personnel to surround him and an NFL system that suits him, Bryce Young will be a pretty good NFL quarterback. But if things keep going the way they are, the Panthers may not be able to make that come to fruition.
