If Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger is to resurrect his NFL profession, it most definitely will not be in Carolina.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales benched him in Week 3, and Carolina’s offense got here to life with veteran Andy Dalton at quarterback.
Nevertheless, after solely 18 NFL begins, it is too early for the remainder of the league to surrender on the No. 1 total decide of the 2023 NFL Draft. Listed here are 5 locations Younger ought to need to go to revive his profession.
Arizona Cardinals
Younger, 5-foot-10, has drawn comparisons to Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on account of their diminutive builds. Finding out beneath the previous No. 1 total decide and studying to negate his top drawback might reshape Younger’s profession trajectory.
Murray, additionally 5-10, was the front-runner for the 2021 MVP award earlier than Arizona pale down the stretch that season, and he has gotten off to a wonderful begin in 2024. Within the Cardinals’ first three video games, Murry is 59-of-86 (68.6 %) for 635 yards, 5 touchdowns and an interception.
Los Angeles Chargers
Younger would not have many alternatives to play with the Chargers except quarterback Justin Herbert’s ankle harm lingers. However the expertise of being coached by Jim Harbaugh, who has received in all places he is gone, is likely to be simply as precious.
Harbaugh helped retired former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith attain his full potential because the No. 1 decide of the 2005 NFL Draft.
In 54 video games earlier than Harbaugh was employed as 49ers head coach in 2011, Smith accomplished 57.1 % of his passes for 9,399 yards (6.2 yards per try), 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions. In two seasons beneath Harbaugh (26 video games), Smith accomplished 64.3 % of his makes an attempt for 4,881 yards (7.4 yards per try), 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have arguably the largest want for a quarterback relying on what occurs with Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered his third concussion since 2022 in Week 2 in opposition to the Payments.
Younger would not have to fret a couple of lack of expertise in Miami, the place he’d play alongside wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and operating backs De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has coaxed the perfect seasons out of Tagovailoa’s profession after a mediocre begin. Whereas he wasn’t almost as dangerous as Younger out of the gate, Tagovailoa’s marked enchancment beneath McDaniel makes the Dolphins a greater match for Younger than most different places.
Los Angeles Rams
Rams head coach Sean McVay is one other offensive guru, and the Panthers QB would give him a younger choice to survey behind starter Matthew Stafford, 36, and his backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, 32.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield’s stint with the Rams in 2022 after being minimize by the Panthers led Tampa Bay to signal him in free company. With NFL groups nonetheless fawning over anybody linked to McVay, Younger may look far more enticing rapidly if traded to the Rams.
Pittsburgh Steelers
After seeing what the Steelers have achieved by way of three video games with Justin Fields at quarterback, we will not put it previous head coach Mike Tomlin to work magic with Younger.
Neither Fields nor Russell Wilson are signed past 2024, whereas Younger would have two seasons left on his rookie contract (2025-26) earlier than his potential fifth-year rookie possibility is activated.
Nobody is aware of learn how to win ugly greater than Tomlin, and no quarterback has performed uglier than Younger over the previous season-plus. We could not dream of a extra excellent union.
