Keyshawn Johnson predicts "beginning of the end" for Bryce Young: "NFL is a big man's game"
The Carolina Panthers decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young earlier this week. The decision has garnered a flurry of opinions from those around the NFL, and Super Bowl winner Keyshawn Johnson gave his opinion on Thursday.
On his "All Facts No Brakes with Keyshawn Johnson" podcast, the former NFL wide receiver gave his opinion of Young's future in the league. Johnson went on to say that Young's height (5-foot-10) could be his downfall.
[0:23] "The problem for me is that the NFL is a big man's game. Like, everybody's big. Smaller, slight guys tend not to do well in the NFL. That's just the reality of it."
[1:24] "It could be the beginning of the end. It's unfortunate. This isn't college football. Think about all these quarterbacks you're talking about. When you mention Justin Herbert. Herbert, big old tall drink of water. CJ Stroud, big quarterback. ... Patrick Mahomes is not small. ... Dak Prescott, not small," Johnson said.
Johnson went on to talk about other shorter QBs but credited their other attributes to their success.
"Kyler Murray is so much. He's a whole other different athlete. This dude, top five in football and in baseball, top five in the draft. ... Bryce Young doesn't have any athletic traits that make you go, 'Oh my God, we gotta have him.' And I'm being honest. I'm not hating on him. I'm just telling you what it is."
Panthers don't intend to trade QB Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers drafted Bryce Young with the first overall pick in 2023. In 18 starts, he had just a 2-16 record. After a 0-2 start, it was time to make a change in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
After the Panthers benched Young this week, rumors that he may get traded quickly circulated on social media. The Miami Dolphins, who will be without Tua Tagovailoa for the foreseeable future, were one of the teams seen as a possible destination.
Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters that they don't have any plans to trade the quarterback.
“That’s not something we are really considering. We have a great situation with our quarterbacks right now with guys that have experience. We love where we are at and it’s all hands on deck,” Canales said.
Canales also said that the plan is to continue to develop Young as a quarterback and that they aren't giving up on him. Canales confirmed the former first overall draft pick is being utilized as the scout quarterback this week in preparations against the Las Vegas Raiders.