Just like when he was selected with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, Bryce Young will only try to control what he can control.
The second-year quarterback played the backup role for the Carolina Panthers once again on Sunday, spending his fifth straight game behind 14th-year veteran Andy Dalton. And while the Panthers did throw in the 23-year-old for one series in the 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders, head coach Dave Canales confirmed that Dalton—even after his worst offering of the season—will remain the starter heading into Week 8.
So with his situation unchanged and the trade deadline about two weeks away, Young was asked if he’d prefer a fresh start elsewhere.
“That stuff, I can’t control,” he replied. “I’m grateful for where I’m at, I’m grateful to be a part of the Panthers, to be here in the Carolinas—I’m grateful for that. So, that’s how I feel and, obviously, that stuff’s out of my control.”
Bryce Young says it’s out of his control when asked if he would like a fresh start somewhere else. pic.twitter.com/wEKXmGpD4W
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 20, 2024
Unfortunately for Young, he played himself out of control to begin what was a highly-anticipated sophomore campaign. Between his first and only two starts of the season, he passed for just 245 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions while leading the Panthers to a combined 13 points.
Since being benched for Dalton, Young has picked up a pair of mop-up appearances—with the first coming in Chicago and the second, of course, coming this afternoon.