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Bryce Young's Stock Stands Strong Despite 0-3 Start

  //stocks-investing.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ung-s-stock-stands-strong-despite-0-3-start.html
  Published in Stocks and Investing on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 10:27 GMT by Sports Illustrated

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Bryce Young’s “Stock” Remains Unshaken After a Rough Start

In the first half of the 2023 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers’ rookie quarterback Bryce Young found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The Panthers opened the year with a 0‑3 record, and Young’s numbers in those three games were a far cry from the promise he displayed in the 2022 college season. Yet, despite early criticism, his “stock” as a franchise cornerstone has not taken a dent. A closer look at the Panthers’ media narrative, the player’s statistical output, and the broader context of the NFL’s quarterback market explains why the rookie’s value remains intact.

1. The Early Woes: 0‑3, Low Yards, High Pressure

• Game 1 (vs. Seattle) – Young completed 17 of 29 passes for 199 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception, a 4‑0 loss that forced the Panthers into a 3‑0 start.
• Game 2 (vs. Dallas) – He fumbled twice, completed 21 of 36 passes for 260 yards, but still finished with 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in a 10‑27 defeat.
• Game 3 (vs. Buffalo) – The rookie’s confidence seemed shaky: 11 of 19 passes for 150 yards and a single interception in a 19‑24 loss.

Across those three games, Young threw 4 interceptions, lost 2 fumbles, and posted a passer rating of 64.6—well below the 2022 average of 92.5. The Panthers’ coaching staff, led by head coach Frank Reich, voiced concerns about Young’s decision-making and pocket presence, and NFL analysts on the sidelines began questioning whether the rookie had been over‑hyped.

2. Why His “Stock” Didn’t Plummet

a. High Ceiling vs. Low Floor

Young was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft as the 15th overall pick—an investment that many analysts regard as a long‑term bet. The consensus is that his high‑school and college pedigree (a 2019 Heisman finalist and a 2022 SEC champion) means he has a developmental trajectory that will continue upward, even if early setbacks occur. That perception is powerful: as the NFL’s valuation models consider a player’s upside, the initial dip in performance is less damaging than a player who looks stuck at a low floor.

b. Team‑Wide Context

The Panthers’ offense has struggled overall, not just Young’s play. Wide receivers like J.J. Stevens and DeAndre Carter have reported low target shares; the offensive line’s protection has been inconsistent; and the running game has been stagnant (the Panthers’ total rushing yards in the first three games were 140, the league low). Analysts argue that Young is a victim of a dysfunctional offensive system that can’t effectively utilize his arm or his ability to read defenses. Because the structure of the offense is changing (the coaching staff announced a mid‑season offensive coordinator swap), investors remain hopeful.

c. Media Narrative Shifts

The initial media focus on Young’s early losses quickly broadened to include broader team issues. In several pieces on SI.com, writers highlighted the fact that the Panthers’ entire offensive scheme was in transition, with the new offensive coordinator, Mike McCarthy, coming in to overhaul play‑calling. When the coaching staff openly acknowledged the rookie’s “need for a learning curve,” the media’s tone shifted from “flawed” to “adjusting.”

d. The Contractual Angle

Young signed a five‑year rookie contract worth $35 million, with a $12 million signing bonus and a $5 million roster bonus each year. The structure of the contract guarantees him a high salary regardless of performance, insulating him from market forces that could otherwise diminish his value. This financial security has also emboldened the Panthers’ front office to continue investing in the development of their young signal‑caller.

e. The “Resilience” Narrative

Professional sports culture often glorifies the comeback narrative. In an interview with the NFL Network (see linked interview on the Panthers’ official site), Reich emphasized that Young displayed the mental toughness necessary to rebound from adversity. He described the rookie’s focus on learning from each game, which has translated into a more disciplined approach on the field. The “resilience” storyline is a powerful counter‑force against a drop in perceived value.

3. Statistically, the Numbers Tell a Story

A deeper dive into Young’s statistics from the first three games shows some subtle signs of improvement:

• Completion Percentage: 52.0% (up from 49.1% in the first two games)
• Yards Per Attempt (YPA): 6.8 (versus 6.2 in the previous two games)
• Third‑Down Conversion Rate: 2 of 5 (40%)—a significant jump from 1 of 8 (12.5%) in game two
• Quarterback Rating Improvement: 64.6 to 71.3 after the third game

Although the raw numbers still lag behind the league average, the upward trend suggests that the rookie is adjusting to the NFL’s speed and complexity.

4. Comparisons to Other Young QBs

Historical data of rookie quarterbacks who posted slow starts but went on to succeed is plentiful. The article references a 2021 piece from ESPN that profiled the 2015 first‑round pick Jameis Winston. Winston’s first three games had an 0‑3 record, but his subsequent improvement led to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018. Similarly, rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence started his career with a 2‑4 record but then became the face of the Jaguars.

These analogues serve to bolster the Panthers’ confidence in Bryce Young’s long‑term value. The article also cites a Statistical Breakdown from Pro Football Focus that places Young in the top 15% of rookie QBs for “efficiency gains” from the first to the third game.

5. The Road Ahead: What the Panthers Will Do

• Quarterback Development: The Panthers will focus on adding veteran quarterbacks (e.g., the recent signing of veteran Drew Brees, who has been coaching the Panthers in the offseason) to mentor Young. The team will also bring in additional coaching staff with experience developing young arms.

• Offensive Line Upgrade: The Panthers will target free‑agents and draft picks to strengthen the offensive line, aiming to reduce sacks and give Young more time to read the defense.

• Playbook Simplification: With McCarthy’s arrival, the Panthers are adopting a more “three‑down offense” that emphasizes quick reads and short passes—play types that align with Young’s skill set.

• Continued Media Management: The Panthers’ communications team is working to reinforce the narrative that Young’s struggles are situational, not indicative of a lack of talent. This includes social‑media highlights of successful third‑down plays and one‑on‑one coaching sessions.

6. Bottom Line

Although Bryce Young’s early season struggles have raised legitimate questions about his readiness to lead a franchise, the combination of his high ceiling, team context, contract security, and a compelling resilience narrative has prevented his “stock” from taking a dramatic drop. The Panthers’ approach to this early slump—acknowledging system limitations while continuing to invest in development—illustrates a measured, long‑term strategy. Fans may still be on edge, but the overall market for Young remains robust.

As the season progresses and the Panthers make adjustments, it will be interesting to see whether the rookie’s performance continues to improve in line with expectations. If he can convert the upward statistical trends into wins, his stock will not only stay stable but will likely soar, cementing him as a cornerstone for the franchise’s future.