NFL Insider Strangely Says Panthers QB Bryce Young Needs Another ‘Leap or Two’ — But Is That Really Fair?

When the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the expectation was that they were getting a franchise savior—a poised, intelligent, and instinctive quarterback who could overcome his smaller frame with elite decision-making and accuracy. But just one year into Young’s career, public perception is already shifting, and not always in the most rational ways.

The most recent example? A well-known NFL insider caused a stir this week by stating that Bryce Young “needs to make another leap or two” if he wants to establish himself as a franchise quarterback. The comment quickly caught fire on social media, sparking debates from Charlotte to Los Angeles and everywhere in between.

But here’s the thing: What exactly constitutes a “leap” for a second-year quarterback coming off a disastrous season with an unstable coaching staff, one of the league’s worst offensive lines, and minimal weapons?

Let’s break down the context behind the insider’s quote, examine Young’s rookie season with honesty, and ask the bigger question: Is the criticism warranted—or is Bryce Young being unfairly targeted for a system failure far beyond his control?

The Controversial Quote

The anonymous but widely circulated quote, attributed to a long-time league insider during a recent radio hit, read:

“Bryce Young still has a lot to prove. He’ll need to make another leap or two to be considered a long-term answer in Carolina. The franchise is committed to him, sure, but he didn’t show enough in Year 1 to be confident that he’s the guy.”

On the surface, the quote seems typical of offseason speculation. But the language—specifically, the phrase “another leap or two”—implies that Young has already made a leap and must now make multiple more to be serviceable. That framing struck many as odd, if not inaccurate.

Why? Because by virtually every statistical and contextual measure, Young didn’t make any leap last year—not because he regressed, but because he never had a chance to progress in the first place.

Bryce Young’s Rookie Year: More Trainwreck Than Test Case

Let’s be blunt: The 2023 Carolina Panthers were a mess, from top to bottom.

Young’s rookie stat line was rough:

2,877 passing yards
11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions
59.8% completion rate
71.3 passer rating
Just 4 wins in 16 starts

The numbers alone paint a bleak picture—but they don’t tell the whole story. Young spent most of the season under siege. According to PFF, the Panthers’ offensive line ranked 31st in pass-blocking efficiency, allowing pressure on nearly 40% of Young’s dropbacks.

On top of that, no Panthers receiver ranked in the top 50 for receiving yards. Young’s leading target was 33-year-old Adam Thielen, who, while productive, was never a separator against top man coverage anymore.

The coaching situation? Even worse. Head coach Frank Reich was fired midseason, and Carolina burned through offensive coordinators like candles. There was no continuity, no identity, and no protection for a rookie quarterback learning one of the league’s toughest jobs on the fly.

As one NFC executive said after the season:

“Put Mahomes or Burrow in that offense and they’d have struggled too. That’s how bad things were around Bryce.”

“Leap or Two”? Let’s Talk About What a Leap Even Looks Like

To say Young needs to make “another leap or two” implies a linear path of progression—one that quarterbacks typically take only when placed in a stable environment.

So what does a leap actually look like?

Let’s use recent QB examples:

Trevor Lawrence (Jags)

Year 1: 12 TDs, 17 INTs (Urban Meyer chaos)
Year 2: 25 TDs, 8 INTs, playoff berth (Doug Pederson stability)
→ Result: Massive leap with coaching upgrade and offensive talent

Jared Goff (Rams → Lions)

Struggled in Year 1 as a rookie (Jeff Fisher)
Flourished under Sean McVay
Re-emerged as a Pro Bowl-caliber QB in Detroit with Ben Johnson

Justin Fields (Bears)

Year 1: 7 TDs, 10 INTs, poor OL
Year 2: Still inconsistent passer, but 1,100 rushing yards and clear physical upside
Year 3: Still being evaluated

These QBs weren’t expected to thrive in dysfunction—and neither should Bryce Young. Yet he’s being held to a peculiar standard: expected to carry a crumbling franchise on his rookie shoulders.

The Real Leap Already Happened—Mentally

Lost in the noise is the fact that Bryce Young did make a kind of leap during the second half of the 2023 season.

From Weeks 10–17, he posted a 2:1 TD-to-INT ratio, improved his pocket presence, and cut down on reckless plays. He started to use his legs more and showed an understanding of NFL coverage complexities despite having minimal help around him.

Those small improvements were lauded by his new head coach, Dave Canales, during his opening press conference:

“What impressed me most was that Bryce never got rattled. You didn’t see panic. You saw growth in processing, in leadership, in his willingness to take accountability.”

That’s the kind of intangible leap that doesn’t show up on highlight reels—but is critical to long-term success.

Bryce Young 2.0: Reasons for Optimism in Year Two

Despite the tough rookie season, there are real reasons to believe Bryce Young is poised for a bounce-back:

1. Dave Canales’ Quarterback-Friendly System

Canales helped rejuvenate Geno Smith’s career in Seattle and oversaw Baker Mayfield’s best NFL season in Tampa Bay. His offense is built on play-action, rhythm throws, and pre-snap motion—a perfect fit for a QB like Young.

2. Major Upgrades at WR

The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson, a crafty separator who should become Young’s go-to target on third downs. They also drafted Xavier Legette, a deep-ball threat with size and athleticism.

This is a much more complete receiver room than what Young had in 2023.

3. OL and RB Support

Carolina spent money and draft capital addressing their offensive line issues, and Miles Sanders returns healthy with an offensive scheme more suited to his skillset. The run game should help take pressure off Young and open up the playbook.

The Bigger Issue: Are We Too Quick to Judge Young QBs?

Young isn’t the only young quarterback to be harshly criticized early in his career. But the speed with which the NFL media moves on from first-round QBs is alarming.

Here’s a look at the timeline:

Drafted No. 1 overall: “Franchise savior”
After 12 months of chaos: “He might be a bust”

We’ve seen this pattern with Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and even Justin Fields. All were hailed as future stars, then discarded when things didn’t click immediately. The NFL’s patience is shrinking.

But unlike Wilson, Young didn’t struggle due to immaturity or mechanics. Unlike Jones, he has mobility and creative off-script ability. Unlike Fields, he plays the quarterback position with a processor-first mindset.

The flaws in Year 1 weren’t about Young—they were about what the franchise gave (or didn’t give) him.

NFL Players Still Believe in Young

Criticism may come from the media, but support from peers has been loud and clear.

Veteran CB Jalen Ramsey recently said:

“That kid’s gonna be a star. He just needs a line and some dogs around him. You can tell the poise is already there.”

Teammate Taylor Moton echoed similar thoughts during OTAs:

“He’s the same guy every day—calm, prepared, accountable. That’s all you can ask for in your quarterback.”

That matters. Young hasn’t lost the locker room. If anything, he’s gained more respect for how he handled an impossible situation.

What Does a Successful Year Two Look Like?

Let’s define success without requiring an MVP season:

3,500+ passing yards
20+ total TDs
Improved completion rate (~65%)
Fewer sacks, fewer hits
Command of Canales’ offense and flashes of leadership

If Young does that, he doesn’t need a second or third “leap”—he just needs time, reps, and a stable infrastructure.

Let’s Give Bryce Young Time to Grow

In a league that’s growing increasingly impatient, the idea that Bryce Young must suddenly “leap” multiple levels just to justify his draft status is not just unfair—it’s disconnected from reality.

He was dealt one of the worst hands of any No. 1 pick in recent memory, stuck behind a collapsing line with no true No. 1 receiver and a carousel of play-callers. And despite all of that, he never pointed fingers, never broke down, and never lost the locker room.

That’s not a bust. That’s the foundation of a franchise quarterback—even if the stats haven’t caught up yet.

So to that insider who says Bryce Young needs “another leap or two”?

Maybe the leap isn’t his to make—it’s Carolina’s. Give him structure. Give him talent. Give him time.

Only then will we see the full version of the player who once captivated scouts, coaches, and fans alike.