Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold Show That Bryce Young Isn't the Problem—The Panthers Are

I know this might be a hot take, but I stand by it. When the Panthers traded up to the first overall pick, I was certain they would draft CJ Stroud. I was wrong, but I think it's safe to say CJ Stroud is probably happier he went second instead of first. I’m not going to claim that if Bryce Young had ended up in Houston instead of Carolina, he would be better than Stroud. However, I do believe Texans fans wouldn’t be up late at night wondering “what if” like Panthers fans are now.

Situation matters in the NFL, and where you get drafted can make or break a career. Getting drafted by the Carolina Panthers feels like career suicide. Just look at Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. Both were huge prospects coming out of the draft they were QBs—one and three in the same draft class—and both ended up in Carolina. While they were there, they combined for 22 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Since leaving Carolina, they’ve combined for 46 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Granted, Baker Mayfield is responsible for the majority of those stats, but Sam Darnold hasn’t looked too bad since joining Minnesota. It’s clear that a change of scenery has made a difference.

Let’s take this a step further. Patrick Mahomes is widely considered the best quarterback in the NFL, yet I’m convinced he wouldn’t even make the playoffs if he were with Carolina tomorrow. No one is winning with this “Make-A-Wish” roster. I’m not saying Bryce Young would become a top-five quarterback if traded to a competent team, but I do believe he could develop into a Brock Purdy-type player—a solid, capable QB making the most of a better situation.

The point is, the environment around a player can significantly impact their performance and career trajectory. And when it comes to playing the cards you were dealt, Bryce Young was handed a seven-deuce off suit. In poker, that’s the worst possible starting hand, and it feels like that’s exactly what Young’s been given with his current situation.