Think The Bryce Young Trade Can't Get Funnier? New Update Says Otherwise

The Bryce Young trade is already going down as one of the worst in modern NFL history. The Carolina Panthers sent star receiver D.J. Moore, two 1st round picks, and two 2nd round picks to the Chicago Bears for the #1 overall pick in 2023. They used that selected on the Alabama Heisman winner. It was felt they had finally solved their persistent quarterback problems in one stroke. Of course, this didn't cover up the fact that Carolina had badly neglected the offensive line and the supporting cast for years. Combine that with a coaching staff that didn't want Young in the first place? Well, you can guess what happened after that.

Young has gone 4-17 as a starter for the Panthers, throwing 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He was already benched earlier this season before a car wreck sidelined Andy Dalton, allowing him back into the lineup. Based on a new report from Joseph Person of The Athletic, the arrangement is likely temporary. The new regime likely has plans for a change next off-season.

The best part is who they may target to replace him.

Considering the Panthers gave up the farm for the No. 1 pick in 2023, you’d think they’d want Young to have every opportunity to prove he can be a franchise QB. But Dave Canales wasn’t in Charlotte when the Panthers drafted Young, and there are signs he’s not sold on him. Canales has already benched Young once and came back to him only after Dalton sprained his thumb in a fender bender. When Young led back-to-back wins over New Orleans and the Giants — matching his win total from his rookie season — Canales declined to immediately name him the starter for the following game. So it wouldn’t be surprising if Dalton is behind center again, with Canales and the other decision-makers gauging whether the 37-year-old could be a bridge in 2025. Canales also has ties to Smith and Wilson if either becomes available. The Panthers could draft Cam Ward, who’s starring for GM Dan Morgan’s alma mater, Miami, and bring in someone like Justin Fields as a bridge.

Bryce Young being succeeded by Justin Fields would be pure symmetry.

Remember, the Bears drew a lot of criticism from the media for passing on Young to keep Fields in 2023, trading the pick to Carolina. Then they themselves traded Fields to Pittsburgh for a conditional pick, selecting Caleb Williams #1 overall in April. Fields has since been benched by the Steelers in favor of Russell Wilson. Yet the Panthers still seem to view him as a better option than Young. That is how bad things have gotten for that organization. A quarterback two teams have deemed not to be franchise material is still a better option than the one they gave away the farm to get.

You can't make this stuff up. As bad as things have been for the Bears, this is a reminder that it could always be worse. One can only imagine the range of emotions Panthers fans are feeling right now. That Bryce Young trade probably set the franchise back a decade.