The CAROLINA PANTHERS appear to have a promising situation at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers leading the team. However, questions linger about who will ultimately be the long-term solution at QB1 for the franchise. ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano has suggested that Bryce Young, the young star of the Carolina Panthers, could be a viable candidate if the Panthers decide to trade him.
Graziano urged fans not to overlook the Jets as a potential landing spot for Young should Carolina make him available. Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is currently in the second year of a lucrative $37 million rookie contract.
A Risk Worth Taking for the Jets
The Jets have the oldest quarterback room in the league, with Rodgers at 40 and Tyrod Taylor at 35. In an attempt to bolster their depth, the Jets took a chance on Jordan Travis from Florida State during April’s draft, selecting him as the 171st overall pick in the fifth round. While the Jets hope he can develop into a reliable backup, there are doubts about his potential to be a franchise quarterback, especially since Travis is already 24 years old as a rookie. In contrast, Young is just 23 and in the early stages of his professional career.
There’s a possibility that Young could be labeled a bust; however, some analysts believe he may have simply been a victim of a dysfunctional environment that hindered his performance. He was benched by the Panthers prior to Week 3, and while Carolina has stated they are not looking to trade him, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter has indicated that many around the league think it’s only a matter of time before a deal is made involving the second-year QB.
While Young’s trade value remains uncertain, Schefter noted that he should still garner some interest from potential suitors.
Room for Growth in New York
If Young were to join the Jets, he would likely transition into a developmental role, potentially as the third-string quarterback. This could alleviate some of the pressures that come with being a former No. 1 overall pick. In New York, he would have the opportunity to grow and learn without the immediate expectations that have been placed upon him in Carolina.
So far, Young has started 18 games in his young career, completing 59.3% of his passes for a total of 3,122 yards, along with an 11-touchdown to 13-interception ratio.
Interestingly, during a joint practice session between the Jets and Panthers last year, Rodgers praised Young, stating, “I like the kid a lot. We share an agent, so I’ve known about him for a long time. I loved watching him in college, and I like his demeanor and movement.”
A Familiar Scenario
The Jets are all too familiar with the narrative of drafting quarterbacks with high expectations, only to see them falter and eventually find success elsewhere. Players like Geno Smith and Sam Darnold didn’t thrive in New York but have managed to carve out successful careers in other locations. Perhaps Young could follow a similar trajectory if given the right circumstances.
As the Jets consider their options, if the price is reasonable, pursuing Young could be a gamble worth taking. With the right guidance, he might just develop into the franchise quarterback the Jets have been searching for.