Bryce Young was the prize of the Carolina Panthers‘ 2023 NFL Draft class after the Panthers traded a haul to move to No. 1 overall. With Young’s benching, it seems as though that move has aged very poorly.
Just how devastating was Carolina’s move up to acquire Young, and how does it compare to other ill-fated NFL Draft trades over the years?
Bryce Young NFL Draft Trade Puts Carolina Panthers in Unenviable Company
The Bryce Young experiment isn’t necessarily over in Carolina. Dave Canales could ultimately bring Young back after he’s had time to sit and decompress behind Andy Dalton. Perhaps the offensive personnel settles in over that time as well, giving Young a better springboard.
But to be frank, the statistical indicators are not promising for Young’s future.
Through the first two weeks, Young completed 31 of 56 pass attempts for 245 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. He averaged 4.4 yards per attempt. His passer rating was 44.1, and his QBR was 8.9. He’s been about as poor as he could’ve been.
Most — if not all — of the historical predecessors in this range of production did not last as starters. Josh Rosen, Zach Wilson, pre-Vikings Sam Darnold, and post-2019 Carson Wentz all fall into this category.
To be clear, every situation is different. Darnold’s resurgence this year is just one example of that. But right now, it’s safe to be pessimistic about Young’s outlook. And his quick deterioration is even more crushing when you factor in the trade capital it took to get him.
How Does the Young Trade Compare to Other Bad Deals?
The Panthers gave up quite a bit to move up for Young. They were originally situated with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but well before the event, they moved up to the first overall pick.
The move saw the Panthers ship their 2023 first and second-rounders, their 2024 first-rounder, their 2025 second-rounder, and star wide receiver DJ Moore — who was coming off a 1,364-yard, eight-touchdown season — to the Bears.
Fast-forward to now, and the Bears have their quarterback in Caleb Williams, along with a dynamic weapon in Moore and an abundance of capital. The Panthers lost capital and talent, and in the end, it might’ve all been for nothing.
The Panthers aren’t the first to get burned in this kind of trade, but their losses are up with some of the worst in recent league history, at the very least.
Here’s how the Panthers’ trade for Young stacks up with other costly ventures:
- Bryce Young Trade: Panthers gave up 2023 first-rounder, 2023 second-rounder, 2024 first-rounder, 2025 second-rounder, and WR DJ Moore
- Trey Lance Trade: 49ers gave up 2021 first-rounder, 2022 first-rounder, 2022 second-rounder, and 2023 first-rounder
- Robert Griffin III Trade: Washington gave up 2012 first-rounder, 2012 second-rounder, 2013 first-rounder, and 2014 first-rounder
- Ricky Williams Trade: Saints gave up 1999 first-rounder, 1999 third-rounder, 1999 fourth-rounder, 1999 fifth-rounder, 1999 sixth-rounder, 1999 seventh-rounder, 2000 first-rounder, and 2000 third-rounder
Unlike the Lance and Griffin trades, the Panthers weren’t required to give up three first-round picks, but one could argue the value of Moore and two second-round picks equals that cost. And Washington at least got one quality season from Griffin before injuries derailed his path.
The Williams trade in 1999 was unique in that it was for a running back, and it entailed the Saints’ entire 1999 class, as well as heavy capital in 2000. The Vikings’ trade for Herschel Walker was similarly crippling in 1989, but Griffin and Lance are the best contemporary comparisons for Young.
In the examples of Griffin and Lance, there’s a lesson to be learned for Carolina: Both teams’ QB picks failed to pan out long-term, and both misses cost each team capital and talent. But what truly matters is how a team responds and rebounds.
Washington went through four coaches and an interim head coach after the derailment of Griffin’s arc.
San Francisco, meanwhile, was able to not only stay afloat, but stay in playoff contention and make a Super Bowl appearance under Kyle Shanahan’s leadership and schematic oversight. Shanahan’s success with Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy played a heavy role.
Thus, the onus will fall heavily on head coach Dave Canales, general manager Dan Morgan, and owner Dave Tepper to work together to right the ship should they choose to pivot away from Young altogether by season’s end.
Carolina’s failings with Young do not spell the end for this regime, but it might force the current franchise leaders to introspect, see where they missed, and figure out how they can correct their path in the years to come.