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First timer. Before the Miami game, listening to the NFL Network afternoon crew, who both agreed and commented that the Panthers were saying all the "have to" things about Bryce Young, and that he simply was too small to be our long-term answer to the QB spot, and that we would be looking soon. I can't make up my mind but feel Bryce is neither fast/quick nor strong enough to be our long-term ace. So, I tend to agree! Thoughts? — Walter, Gastonia, NC
Hmmm, what happened since the time before the Miami game that might make one reconsider one's hot take?
Bryce being the size Bryce is was never a deterrent to success at Alabama. Or in high school, when he was a top recruit and wore out McMillan's team. But because his size is an outlier, it's the easiest thing for people to latch onto.
But we're not about easy around here. This Mailbag is all about doing hard things on purpose. In fact, that's one of my life mottoes, alongside "it doesn't have to be that hard." Which may seem contradictory, but it's not. It's about being intentional about learning or growing, but not overcomplicating life. At any rate, back to how this applies to football.
Bryce is the size he is. And they're building a platform upon which he can be successful. That started in the spring of 2024 by creating an offensive line that might not allow 65 sacks like the Panthers did in 2023. And then keeping rushing options aplenty. And having targets of the size that make it easy to spot for any quarterback.
And now, suddenly, Bryce looks taller in the pocket, or something.
The touchdown to Legette against the Dolphins was impressive, not just because Legette was still running in the opposite direction of where the ball landed when Young released it. That kind of anticipation and accuracy is where he wins. And while the early turnovers are something they have to get rid of, he's shown the ability to come back, and resilience is a good thing.
Six times in his last 16 games, and eight times in his career, he's led game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. To put that in context, CJ Stroud (who was drafted one spot behind him) has done that five times, and so has Jordan Love (who was drafted two years earlier).
Again, social media seems to have turned every moment into a referendum on forever, and every quarterback a topic for debate. Quarterbacks are part of greater wholes, believe it or not. A lot of teams have won titles by building entire teams and having the right quarterback work with that team. That's harder to do than just drafting one person and hoping he fixes everything by himself.