Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys star Micah Parsons defends struggling rookie QB

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 11/15/23

While C.J. Stroud has taken the league by storm for the surging Houston Texans, fellow rookie signal-caller Bryce Young has seen far less success over the first half of his inaugural NFL campaign.

Young, who has thrown just one touchdown to three interceptions over his last two games, has become a punching bag for skeptics who previously doubted the former Heisman Trophy winner's viability as a franchise quarterback.

Despite Young's early struggles, Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons was quick to come to his defense on Tuesday, urging patience for the Panthers quarterback while speaking on “The Edge” podcast.

“So I don’t think we should just throw away Bryce just yet," Parsons said. "I think we should let him get a couple years, give him that same grace as we did everybody else. Even guys like Trevor Lawrence who struggled their first year, look how well he’s doing."

Be patient with Bryce Young

(via The Edge with Micah Parsons) pic.twitter.com/KR3QJ8QPVf
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 14, 2023

"Give him time, let him break out," Parsons added. "I think Bryce Young will have his breakout year, it’s just not this year.”

By all accounts, Young has been one of the league's worst passers in 2023. Only Ryan Tannehill — who was recently benched by the Tennessee Titans — has a worse QBR than Young's 33.2 mark this season.

Carolina's 185.2 YPG through the air ranks 27th in the NFL, while their lone 250-plus yard passing performance came in a game where Young was held out due to injury (Andy Dalton - 361 yards in Week 3).

Despite Young's lack of production, Parsons is correct not to write off a player so early in his career. Carolina is short on talent across its offense. No Panthers running back averages more than 3.7 YPC this season. At wideout, the team has leaned heavily on 33-year-old Adam Thielen as rookie Jonathan Mingo (zero touchdowns on 23 receptions) has yet to emerge in the pecking order.

Young still has a chance to emerge as a viable starting quarterback in the NFL. Although, with the way the Panthers are currently constructed, don't expect above-average play from Young for the remainder of this season.

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