Panthers' Bryce Young given no respect in latest QB rankings

Bryce Young hasn't given the NFL world any reason to believe he is a good quarterback. 

That reality is now showing up in quarterback rankings produced by Pro Football Focus. 

Young ranked No. 25 on PFF's list, which feels like a gracious ranking for one of the worst starting quarterbacks of the 2023 season. 

For full disclosure, PFF's rankings were broken into several different categories: Mahomes, the elite, postseason caliber QBs, the melting pot of starters, can singlehandedly win and lose games, the next generation, and the holdovers. 

Young's No. 25 ranking placed him in the "next generation" category. However, that group also boasts names like unproven Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. 

Here is what PFF had to say about Young's abilities: 

"Young’s rookie season was, well, about as bad as it gets. His 52.6 passing grade ranked 41st among qualifying quarterbacks, and his 27.6 passing grade under pressure was the worst in the league.

"The Panthers' situation was equally as bad as it gets, so it’s hard to put all of that on Young. He was brilliant at Alabama, but there clearly wasn’t any confidence for him in 2023 in Carolina to replicate it. His overall athletic deficiencies (size and strength) were glaring last season. More confidence and better decision-making can get Young on the right track. 2024 will be an important evaluation season for the former No. 1 pick."

Young stands on the precipice of a good season, despite his previous struggles. The Panthers fully invested in putting help around the second-year quarterback during the offseason. 

Carolina drafted Xavier Legette in the first round of the NFL draft. Additionally, the franchise brought in running backs and traded for Diontae Johnson, who had a history of being a go-to wide receiver. 

With the right tools, Young stands ready to prove PFF's ranking wrong. The ball is in his court. In 2024, the Panthers season will go as Young goes. He has to live up to his potential.