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Bryce Young lands in disrespectful, inaccurate tier of CBS Sports' NFL quarterback rankings

Bryce Young still isn't getting that much respect from the NFL media.
Zach Roberts|
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers probably have their quarterback now. Even if Bryce Young doesn't improve, the level he played at last year to close things out is a level not too many quarterbacks are playing at right now, so that would be totally fine. Unless he regresses, he looks like a franchise QB.

But that's not the tier he landed in on CBS Sports' rankings. Analyst Cody Benjamin snubbed him from that group, the borderline star group, or the promising prospect tier. Instead, he was maddeningly placed in the "holdover and placeholder" tier, which is borderline disrespectful.

He's in there with Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Anthony Richardson, and Tyler Shough. There's a clear difference between Young and those players. Even Michael Penix Jr. is probably being disrespected by being placed here.

"The former No. 1 pick finally touted NFL-level confidence to close Year 2, suggesting he's still got an 'it' factor to offset his smaller frame and ghastly start," Benjamin said. "Can he be more than serviceable as a passer, though? The Carolina Panthers are still trusting a mostly unproven group of pass weapons to help him grow."

It is incomprehensible that Young finds himself here. Maybe he's still an unproven, but that would put him in the tier with Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and other young QBs. He's not definitively a bust, and he's not necessarily a star, either. But placeholder? That couldn't be further from the truth.

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Zach Roberts
ZACH ROBERTS

Zachary Roberts is a journalist with a wide variety of experience covering basketball, golf, entertainment, video games, music, football, baseball, and hockey. He currently covers Charlotte sports teams and has been featured on Sportskeeda, Yardbarker, MSN, and On SI.