C.J. Stroud blames Panthers for Bryce Young’s turbulent rookie season
It’s safe to say that Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s rookie season did not play out like anyone expected.
His head coach, Frank Reich, was fired midway through the season, and Young had the fifth-fewest touchdown passes (11) and the fewest yards per pass attempt (5.5) among QBs with 300 or more drop backs.
But as rocky as his rookie season was, No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud — a player who could have just as easily been drafted first overall by Carolina — believes the Panthers are more to blame for Young’s struggles than he is.
“I know everything’s going to be fine for him; I told him like, ‘You the one. You the one for a reason, don’t ever, ever look at yourself different, bro,’” Stroud said on “The Pivot” podcast. “I feel like a lot of stuff didn’t go his way that was out of his control. You can’t make a play if someone doesn’t block, you can’t make a play if someone doesn’t catch the ball.”
Stroud has a point. And his sentiments were shared by several others around the NFL, including former Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.
The Panthers offensive line was one of the worst in 2023, allowing the third-highest sack percentage in the NFL (10%), per Pro Football Reference.
Their receivers weren't much better, tying tied for the 10th-most dropped passed (28) with their top four receivers — Thielen (5.1%), D.J. Chark (12.5%), Jonathan Mingo (9.5%) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (8.5%) — all having a drop percentage of 5% or worse.
Carolina's pass catchers were largely ineffective, ranking last in yards per reception (9.3) and receiving yards per game (190.9), 31st in touchdowns (13) and 23rd in receptions (350).
Young’s top weapon, Adam Thielen, would likely be a No. 2 receiver — at best — but more likely a No. 3 option on most other teams in the league.
Sure, he had 103 receptions and 1,014 yards, but 2023 was the first time in his 10-year career he didn’t average at least 10 yards or more per reception (9.8) and his four touchdowns were his fewest since his second full season in 2017.
Wide receiver and offensive line are presumably the two biggest positions of need for the Panthers in free agency and the draft.
More must-reads: