Getty Image / Grant Halverson
When the Panthers traded up to the top overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they had a tough choice to make between Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. And, it’s never been more apparent that they made have made the wrong decision than it was on Sunday.
While CJ Stroud had arguably the greatest game by a rookie quarterback in league history, Bryce Young was terrible on Sunday. And, the league was taking notice.
In Houston, CJ Stroud threw for an NFL-record 470 yards to go along with five touchdowns, and led the team down the field after getting the ball with 46 seconds left and threw the game-winning touchdown pass.
Meanwhile, in Carolina, Bryce Young was god-awful. Young was 24/39 for 173 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. And, two of those interceptions were terrible pick-sixes to Colts corner Kenny Moore II.
Kenny Moore II jumps the route and makes a house call @KennyKennyMoe3
📺: #INDvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/UnoWUfiFvS— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
TDs scored today:
Kenny Moore II – 2
Panthers – 1
pic.twitter.com/dhL89Ls86I— PFF (@PFF) November 5, 2023
It was just that kind of day for Bryce Young. The rookie had looked better in recent weeks after a slow start. But, Sunday’s game was a huge setback against a Colts defense that had given up 30 points in three straight games.
It’s a little more complicated than this, but Stroud has 14 touchdowns and 1 interception so far. Young has 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions for the 1-7 Panthers.
The internet is calling Young a bust, premature or not.
Bryce Young is the most obvious bust in NFL history. Nice guy. CANNOT SEE THROUGH HIS OFFENSIVE LINE. This was so obvious pre draft. Again, nice guy,” @empowerfy said on Twitter.
“Bryce Young is horrible. Congrats on the trash QB @Panthers saw this coming way before the draft. This is called drafting the hype, not the talent. Well done. Bust city,” @Brando2734 said.
“I don’t care what anyone says… Bryce Young is a bust and will NEVER be an effective NFL QB. I think it’s obvious (and I’m not just “prisoner of the moment”) Stroud should have been the first QB taken. Now, Carolina have to save face and try to groom and waste more time on Young,” @gigibillsgirl said.
Bottom line, things aren’t going well for Young, and are going pretty well for CJ Stroud. If you are a Panthers fan, you’ve got to be getting nervous.