Bryce Young was benched by the Panthers this week, but according to ESPN, several teams have already expressed interest in trading him for the first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
Panthers coach Dave Canales has said the team has no intention of trading 23-year-old Young, who will be replaced by veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
But the Panthers “have been contacted by certain teams,” while others “have considered trading Young within their own organizations,” ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported.
He added that league sources believe it is “only a matter of time” before Carolina “makes a deal with the second-year quarterback,” although most likely “sometime in the offseason.”
Young has a 2-16 record as a starter since the Panthers selected him first overall out of Alabama in a trade with the Bears last year.
One pick later, the Texans grabbed quarterback CJ Stroud, who was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Young has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (11) in his professional career, although he only completed 59 percent of his passes.
In two games this season, the Panthers have totaled 245 passing yards, the highest in the league.
In recent seasons, several highly drafted quarterbacks have been traded for marginal considerations, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Trey Lance and Zach Wilson.