Earlier this week it was confirmed that the Carolina Panthers are benching 2023 first total choose, Bryce Younger. This comes solely 18 begins into Younger’s very younger NFL profession. Instantly rumors started swirling that Younger could possibly be traded out of Carolina. This regardless of Panthers Head Coach, Dave Canales stating that “Bryce is our quarterback,” and {that a} commerce is “not one thing that we’re contemplating.” In the meantime, a supply near Younger mentioned that Bryce is “open to something” concerning his future in Carolina or elsewhere. Would Carolina actually commerce their former first total choose, simply 18 video games into his profession? This particularly after giving up a large haul to the Chicago Bears to take him. This appears unlikely, however that is the David Tepper-led Carolina Panthers in any case.
Of the rumors swirling round about attainable commerce locations for Younger, one included an eye-opening vacation spot, Seattle. Dan Graziano of ESPN just lately mentioned the Miami Dolphins have been a high potential suitor, however added, “Don’t sleep on the Jets, Rams and Seahawks if Younger have been obtainable.” Miami would make sense if Tua Tagovailoa is severely contemplating retiring (though reviews are exhibiting that Tagovailoa needs to maintain enjoying). The Jets and Rams would each make sense for related causes. Each groups have getting old quarterbacks who’re each thought of year-to-year. Younger may make sense as a younger quarterback who can study behind each Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford earlier than changing them close to into the long run.
What about Seattle? The Seahawks have been floated round as a quarterback vacation spot ever since Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos again in 2022. Names like Baker Mayfield and Justin Fields have been floated to Seattle previously. Nevertheless, every time, John Schneider has chosen to stay with Geno Smith, which on reflection has not regarded like a nasty choice.
Smith stats for this season, he’s off to a quick begin. Smith is finishing 73.9% of his passes, has 498 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a 69.8 QBR. Smith’s efficiency final week in opposition to the New England Patriots obtained him nominated for Air Participant of the Week as nicely. This may point out that sticking with Smith quite than buying and selling for Younger can be the higher transfer.
The counter argument to that is that it is just two video games, and that Smith is getting up there in age (Smith turns 34 in October.) Nevertheless, Smith has additionally carried out nicely in his final two years beginning, placing collectively again to again Professional Bowl efficiency in 2022 and 2023. Moreover, although Smith is popping 34 in just a few weeks, most of his profession was spent as a backup, so he has taken much less of a beating in comparison with different quarterbacks of their mid-30’s.
The opposite elephant within the room when discussing a Younger commerce, is Sam Howell. John Schneider simply traded for a younger, intriguing quarterback venture in Howell this previous spring. Howell has proven potential to be a beginning quarterback already on this league, and nonetheless has two years on his rookie contract. For Seattle, buying and selling for Younger may really feel redundant to the transfer for Howell earlier this Spring.
The counter argument is that Younger is much extra intriguing as the previous primary total choose in comparison with Howell. Moreover, although Younger has regarded abysmal in his 18 begins, different former Panther quarterbacks have flourished as soon as they left Carolina. Simply this season, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield have proven that they are often established beginning quarterbacks on this league. Darnold this season has accomplished 71.3% of his passes, has 476 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a 71.3 QBR. Mayfield this season has accomplished 73.5% of his passes, has 474 yards, 5 touchdowns, and a 68.6 QBR. These “glow-ups” for Darnold and Mayfield lead one to consider that the quarterback drawback in Carolina will not be Younger, however quite the Panthers group itself.
Even contemplating the final two arguments as arguments to commerce for Younger, a commerce would doubtless be tough to come back by. First, Carolina would certainly be in search of no less than a day-two choose for a former first total choose simply final 12 months (2023). Second, bringing in Younger would crowd the quarterback room up with Smith, Howell, and Younger. Certainly Howell or Smith must be moved on from, however would John Schneider be seeking to transfer on from his Professional-Bowl quarterback who has the love of the locker room (Smith) or his just lately acquired younger, low-cost quarterback venture (Howell).
All these items thought of, except there’s a vital downturn in Smith’s play this season, a commerce for Younger appears not possible. This report, or quite “hypothesis” from Dan Graziano doubtless might be chopped as much as the nationwide media nonetheless not giving Smith his flowers, and nonetheless viewing him as a long-term backup turned band assist quarterback for Seattle.
