Bryce Young entered the 2024 NFL season looking for a second chance to prove himself as the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback. He was given all of two weeks to show what he could do.
First-year Panthers coach Dave Canales benched Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton before the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Carolina insisted it still believed Young could develop into a quality starter, but it has continued to start Dalton whenever the 37-year-old has been healthy.
Carolina’s strategy hasn’t changed even after its 1-7 start to the season. That has led many to wonder whether the Panthers could pull the plug on the Young experiment much like the San Francisco 49ers did with 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance after just two seasons.
Young may not be dealt ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline, but teams will certainly be paying attention to him before and during the 2025 offseason. Here are some potential landing spots if the Panthers move on from the 2023 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick.
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New York Giants
The Giants’ decision to give Daniel Jones a four-year, $160 million contract during the 2023 offseason was ill-fated, as Jones has struggled badly since inking his new deal. New York will almost certainly move on from him during the 2025 offseason, as they can do so by absorbing a dead-cap hit of just $22.2 million, per OverTheCap.com. Young would represent a cheap, potential-packed replacement whom the Giants could target if they aren’t sold on the 2025 NFL Draft’s quarterback crop.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew during the 2024 NFL offseason to serve as a stopgap starter, but neither he nor Aidan O’Connell looks like a long-term answer for the team. Young might not have the same skillset as Jayden Daniels, who Antonio Pierce coached at Arizona State, but perhaps Pierce could be sold on Young’s Russell Wilson-like combination of mobility and arm talent.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans have bottomed out in Brian Callahan’s first season, as Will Levis and Mason Rudolph have been one of the NFL’s least effective quarterback duos. Callahan was part of the team that developed Joe Burrow into a high-quality NFL signal-caller so perhaps he could see untapped potential with Young, another No. 1 overall pick.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts pivoted to Joe Flacco over Anthony Richardson after the 2023 No. 4 pick made just 10 starts. Young got just 18 starts in Carolina before being benched in favor of Dalton. A change of scenery could benefit both quarterbacks, and it’s fun to imagine what Shane Steichen may be able to do with Young after being part of the Eagles staff that turned Jalen Hurts into a Super Bowl starter.
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers turns 41 in December. His backup, Tyrod Taylor, is 35. The Jets could use a younger quarterback to battle with Jordan Travis to be Rodgers’ successor, and Young could benefit learning behind Rodgers, who has been one of the best NFL quarterbacks of the 21st century.
Los Angeles Rams
Landing with Sean McVay would be one of the best outcomes for Young’s career long-term. McVay helped turn Kirk Cousins into a quality NFL starter, got Jared Goff to a Super Bowl, won one with Matthew Stafford and revitalized Baker Mayfield’s career after his stint with the Panthers. Young would be a solid successor for Stafford, and Los Angeles’ plethora of weapons will remind many of the quality receiver room Young got to work with at Alabama.
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith has been a good starter for the Seahawks over the last few seasons, but the 34-year-old is only under contract through the 2025 season. Young could emerge as Smith’s successor while battling Sam Howell for the backup job. If Seahawks general manager John Schneider is reminded at all of Russell Wilson while watching Young’s tape, the long-time Seattle executive could take a swing on him as a buy-low project.
