The Carolina Panthers dropping the 2023 number one pick before week 3 demonstrates the problems the draft is posing to rookie quarterbacks.
Tom Brady is someone who knows a thing or two about achieving greatness
So for Brady to describe the situation rookie quarterbacks like Bryce Young are placed in as a “tragedy” suggests there is a deep-rooted problem within football about the transition between college and professional.
He went on to explain that his years of experience learning the offensive game from the bench is something rookie quarterbacks do not have the chance to experience anymore, which makes it harder for them to adapt to the NFL.
Brady’s comments were triggered by the Panthers dropping 2023 Number one overall draft pick Bryce Young in favour of veteran quarterback Andy Dalton for their match against the Las Vegas Raiders – a match the Panthers went on to subsequently win.
In the days that have followed, there has been increased speculation that the Panthers have received a series of trade proposals for Young that they are said to be considering.
The real tragedy here though is how everyone is to blame for the situation Young and the Panthers find themselves in.
Young was an inauspicious pick by the Panthers ahead of CJ Stroud in the 2023 draft because of his limited size (5ft 10).
That has generally shown to be true, with a common criticism lobbied at him that he cannot see the game over large offensive linemen.
At the same time, Young has not had the right environment to succeed at the Panthers.
Young was sacked 68 times in 18 games in 2023 in part due to weak protection at the line of scrimmage, while there was a division in the Panthers hierarchy over whether to make Young the number one pick – team owner David Tepper effectively forced Young upon then-head coach Frank Reich.
Compare that to CJ Stroud, who was sacked 38 times in 2023 and has had the full backing of DeMeco Ryans, and it’s clear that Young has been climbing a much steeper mountain than Stroud has.
A trade almost seems inevitable given the circumstances, and it would mean Young would join an ever-increasing list of No.1 rookie quarterback picks to be traded within their first major contract – the most obvious example is 2018 Number one pick Baker Mayfield traded four times.
What it shows more broadly is that rookie quarterbacks are set up to fail in the current landscape of the draft.
As Caleb Williams is beginning to find that out playing for the Chicago Bears, there is enormous pressure on No.1 quarterback picks to lift (usually) failing franchises and this is often too much of a step for even the most talented of college players.
Instead, the quarterbacks who have seen the greatest success in recent years are those who have been given the time to adapt to the league.
Just look at how Jordon Love is developing after years on the bench behind Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, or how Josh Allen was surrounded by veterans at Buffalo, and Brady’s comments are validated.
Young does still have the tools to succeed in the NFL due to his phenomenal athleticism and leadership skills, but he is not the first rookie quarterback to be dealt an impossible hand.
He certainly won’t be the last.
“Bryce Young Carolina Panthers 2023 season (cropped)” by Tennessee Titans is licensed under CC BY 3.0.