Nationwide Insurance and the NFL: A Lesson in Patience
“Life comes at you fast,” a phrase popularized by an old Nationwide Insurance commercial, rings true in the world of the NFL. Just ask Bryce Young, the quarterback once seen as the beacon of hope for the Carolina Panthers. On a recent Sunday afternoon, after yet another disappointing performance from the 2023 No. 1 pick, Panthers coach Dave Canales professed his loyalty to Young. However, less than 24 hours later, that loyalty was swiftly replaced with the decision to bench him in favor of seasoned NFL veteran Andy Dalton.
What began as “Bryce is our quarterback” quickly morphed into “Andy gives us the best chance to win,” as Canales sought to halt the downward spiral of the 0-2 Panthers, who were outscored 73-13 in the opening games of the season. Young, having endured a tumultuous rookie year, is already playing under his third head coach within a mere 17 months. His struggles from his rookie season have evidently followed him into Year 2. In his four starts this season, he has completed just 55.4 percent of his passes, totaling 245 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Young’s benching so early in another rebuilding year for the Panthers raises significant questions about the foresight and decision-making of the team’s leadership. His swift decline serves as a prime example of the impatience and impulsiveness that often cloud quarterback decisions across the NFL. Another once-promising talent is at risk of being derailed, leaving yet another franchise mired in mediocrity. As the familiar narrative unfolds, and as other young quarterbacks stumble early this season, it appears the NFL is grappling with a quarterback development crisis.
Unrealized Potential and Unfortunate Circumstances
As a national champion and Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, Young seemed destined for greatness in the NFL. While his smaller stature (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) raised some eyebrows among talent evaluators, many believed his accuracy, poise, athleticism, relentless work ethic, exceptional football IQ, sharp instincts, and competitive spirit would compensate for his size. Unfortunately, Young’s early performances have not even approached a level of proficiency.
Is he to blame for some of his shortcomings? Absolutely. However, Young was set up to fail during a rookie season characterized by a dysfunctional franchise and coaching staff. He ended up with a 2-14 record, throwing 11 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud, selected by the Texans just one pick after Young, went on to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Yet, it’s highly unlikely that Stroud would have found the same success in Carolina as he did in Houston, where the Texans finished 10-7 and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs under new coach DeMeco Ryans. The Panthers, on the other hand, faced:
- Too many decision-makers: Owner David Tepper, coach Frank Reich (who lasted only 11 games), offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, senior offensive assistant Jim Caldwell, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, and assistant head coach Duce Staley all had their hands in the mix.
- A roster riddled with deficiencies: Few quarterbacks could thrive amidst such a shaky supporting cast.
Canales was expected to help Young reset his trajectory, much like he aided Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. However, his puzzling decision to sit Young during the first two preseason games, denying him crucial game reps, and now this sudden benching, raises more questions than answers.
The Broader Implications of Young’s Bench
While it remains to be seen if time on the sidelines will help Young grasp the complexities of NFL quarterbacking, one thing is clear: this benching will not address the Panthers’ myriad of offensive talent deficiencies. While some quarterbacks deserve criticism for holding onto the ball too long, it’s essential to recognize that Carolina’s offensive line is struggling.
Switching from Young to Dalton won’t magically improve a defense that has allowed a league-high 36.5 points per game. The prevailing notion that a single quality quarterback can mask a multitude of team deficiencies is often misguided. Even elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes cannot cure all of a team’s ills.
Young’s narrative is still unfolding, but based on his treatment last season and Monday’s unexpected decision, the Panthers have engaged in what can only be termed as quarterback malpractice. They are not alone in this regard. Consider the 2021 NFL Draft class: No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence remains with the Jaguars, yet fellow first-round quarterbacks Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones have all parted ways with the teams that initially drafted them.
Development Challenges and Unrealistic Expectations
In terms of development, Young appeared unprepared last season, and this year, he seems no closer to readiness. The Panthers in 2023 have fallen into the all-too-familiar trap of drafting a highly touted quarterback and thrusting him into action before he is equipped to perform at a high level, all while surrounding him with a roster lacking adequate support. This season’s Panthers team is still fraught with issues, and Young’s early struggles, compounded by Canales’ hasty decision, suggest he should never have been designated as the starter to begin with.
Many organizations feel compelled to name a star quarterback the starter from Day 1, even when these prospects remain unrefined and their new teams have weak foundations. This defies logic. You wouldn’t hand the keys to a teenager with a learner’s permit to a poorly maintained car and expect them to navigate the interstate safely. So why should we expect miracles from a rookie quarterback?
While there are instances where a rookie quarterback may undermine his own development—perhaps through inadequate study habits or repeated mistakes—if a young quarterback is not demonstrating the professionalism, growth, and discipline required to maintain a starting position, he should not be thrust into such a role prematurely. It is perfectly acceptable to inform a quarterback that he is not yet ready. However, that should be established from the outset, rather than ignoring red flags and justifying an early start due to the premium draft pick invested in him.
A Call for Patience and Strategy
Indecision and impatience do a disservice to everyone involved. A team with a young quarterback faces two primary choices:
- Commit to developing him in real-time, accepting that things may become chaotic before improvements materialize. Remember, the legendary Peyton Manning led the NFL in interceptions (28) and won only three games as a rookie. Troy Aikman went 0-11 in his rookie season before going on to win three Super Bowls.
- Opt for a long-term strategy: Redshirt and develop the quarterback while strengthening the roster he will eventually command, and THEN start him once his growth becomes evident.
Unfortunately, many NFL coaches struggle to adopt a conservative approach when it comes to their young quarterbacks. It’s well-known that a young passer’s best ally is a robust rushing game and a play-action passing strategy that arises from the run. Yet, instead of leveraging a run-first philosophy to ease the burden on a developing quarterback, many play-callers have these young, inexperienced quarterbacks dropping back to pass 30 or 40 times a game. Such heavy workloads often lead to crippling mistakes.
Frequent passing on early downs—resulting in incomplete passes—leads to third-and-long situations, which force quarterbacks to hold the ball longer while plays develop. This increases the pressure on an offensive line (which may already be underperforming) and makes the quarterback an inviting target for sacks.
Young quarterbacks often lack the foundational understanding of defenses necessary to excel. Many of Young’s interceptions indicate either a failure to recognize defenders or being outsmarted by cleverly disguised coverage. He throws these interceptions confidently, launching the ball downfield with conviction, only for a defensive back to swoop in and snatch it from the air.
Ultimately, young quarterbacks who struggle with errors often find themselves on the receiving end of harsh criticism or face the possibility of being benched. In reality, they should have never been placed in such precarious situations to begin with. For instance, Broncos coach Sean Payton has allowed rookie Bo Nix to drop back 77 times, the third-highest in the league, resulting in perplexing decisions and a league-high four interceptions (tied with the Colts’ Anthony Richardson) along with a dismal 51.0 passer rating. Conversely, Bears 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams has struggled to adapt to the NFL’s pace, overwhelmed by a heavy passing load, while Titans second-year player Will Levis has made critical errors that suggest that he could greatly benefit from additional time as a backup.
Why can’t coaches recognize how their overly aggressive strategies are hampering their quarterbacks? Numerous examples exist of how even quarterbacks with average skill sets can excel when their play-callers are dedicated to providing a supportive and balanced game plan. Consider the recent game in Green Bay, where Matt LaFleur set up the often-criticized Malik Willis for success just three weeks after he was traded to the Packers. LaFleur fed running back Josh Jacobs 32 times, leading to 151 rushing yards. The Packers executed 21 additional run plays (six for Willis), culminating in a total of 261 rushing yards. Willis was asked to throw the ball a mere 14 times, completing 12 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, boasting a passer rating of 126.8. This stands in stark contrast to Richardson, his game-day counterpart, who dropped back 34 times, completing only 17 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. While Willis helped the Packers secure a 16-10 victory, Richardson’s performance was far from dazzling.
Conclusion: A Shift in Mindset is Necessary
Perhaps the NFL should consider implementing a system requiring quarterback-needy teams to present a clear and effective development plan for their prized prospects in order to gain approval for the draft. While this suggestion is made in jest, the urgency for NFL decision-makers to exercise greater patience in developing and managing young quarterbacks is all too real. The impulsive and hasty approaches that dominate the league are not only jeopardizing individual careers but also condemning franchises to continued cycles of failure. When this occurs, accountability is necessary—and rightly so.
(Top photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
