Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a potential landing spot for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
The Steelers significantly overhauled their quarterback situation this year by bringing in Justin Fields, a former first-round pick, and Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson. However, on October 9, Knox floated the idea that Pittsburgh might consider adding Bryce Young to their roster as well.
Knox identified the Steelers as one of two possible destinations for the 2023 first overall draft pick.
“Young could also be of interest to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who currently have a capable starter in Justin Fields but no quarterbacks under contract beyond this season,” Knox wrote.
“Fields remains young enough to be a long-term solution for Pittsburgh. But if his performance declines, Young could be the next former first-rounder the Steelers take a chance on.”
The Panthers benched Young after Week 2 of this season, roughly 17 months after trading up to the No. 1 overall spot to draft the former Alabama quarterback.
Besides the Steelers, Knox also mentioned the New York Jets as another possible destination for Young.
Will the Carolina Panthers Trade Bryce Young?
Young was the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, taken just ahead of C.J. Stroud. However, he hasn’t had the same level of success as Stroud.
Young holds a 2-16 record as a starter, completing less than 60% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His yards per attempt sit at just 5.4.
The Panthers hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their head coach to develop Young. However, after just two weeks this season, Canales benched Young and replaced him with veteran Andy Dalton.
Through those two games, Young regressed significantly, showing declines in completion percentage and yards per attempt compared to his rookie year. He also threw 3 interceptions with no touchdowns.
Following Young’s benching, there has been speculation about whether the Panthers will trade him before the NFL deadline.
On one hand, moving on from Young could make sense. But given the hefty price the Panthers paid to draft him, it’s hard to imagine them giving up on the 23-year-old so quickly.
To move up and select Young with the No. 1 pick in 2023, the Panthers traded two first-round picks, two second-rounders, and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears.
Trading Young now would mean Carolina would get very little return on that massive investment.
Steelers QB Situation as NFL Trade Deadline Approaches The Steelers’ quarterback situation adds to the intrigue around Young. The team has lost two consecutive games, and their quarterback play has been shaky.
Heading into Week 6, Pittsburgh’s passing offense ranks 27th in the league. Young has the potential to offer long-term help and, after being benched, could be seen as a low-cost reclamation project.
Young would also give the Steelers a quarterback option under contract through 2025.
However, Pittsburgh’s unsettled quarterback situation might make them hesitant to add another player to the mix. If Wilson returns to start over the next few weeks, Fields would drop to a backup role.
That could leave Young, if acquired, with little opportunity for practice reps, as No. 3 quarterbacks typically don’t get many during game preparation.
Knox’s hypothetical scenario, in which Young joins the Steelers as a backup to Fields, is appealing in theory. But it’s hard to see it materializing while Wilson remains on the roster, even as a backup.
If the Steelers sign Fields to a long-term deal, they might consider pursuing Young in 2025 after Wilson’s contract ends. But by then, there’s no guarantee Young will still be available.
