A year ago, Bryce Young was regarded as the top quarterback prospect and the overall best prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft following impressive performances at the University of Alabama. Some had reservations about his modest size, but many agreed that he was a superior player compared to C.J. Stroud from Ohio State. However, it was Stroud who had a remarkable rookie season with the Houston Texans, while Young struggled greatly as a member of the Carolina Panthers, who had a dismal 2-15 record. Nevertheless, Stroud came to Young’s defense, stating that he had limited support and that he is still on his path to becoming a phenomenal player, according to “The Pivot” as reported by Dov Kleiman. Stroud said, “When you analyze the footage, Bryce showcased numerous exceptional qualities. He will undoubtedly become a remarkable player, but it takes time.”
Despite Stroud throwing for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading Houston to a 10-7 record and a playoff victory in the Wild Card round, Young had a harsh introduction to professional football. Young completed less than 60 percent of his pass attempts, threw almost as many interceptions (10) as touchdown passes (11), and recorded a disappointing 73.7 passer rating. Stroud is already displaying exceptional talent and appears to possess the ability to perform under pressure, but not every good or great quarterback excels immediately. For instance, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills struggled in his first two seasons before emerging as one of the league’s top players during the 2020 season. Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles also faced similar challenges in his first two seasons before earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading his team to a Super Bowl appearance last year. Unfortunately, the Panthers will not have the first overall pick in this year’s draft, as they traded it to select Young. Therefore, the path to success may continue to be difficult for him, at least for a little while.