Even as a Rookie, Bryce Young is Built for the Big Stage & Big Expectations
Some, check that, most rookie quarterbacks can't handle the pressure of carrying an offense from the moment they step foot in the organization's building. But Bryce Young can.
He's played against the best of the best since he was a kid and that's something he and his dad, Craig, have wanted for him every step of the way. Whether it was transferring from Cathedral High School to Mater Dei or attending Alabama and playing in the toughest conference in all of college football, Young has been put to the test.
Playing at those types of institutions comes with a different level of expectations. Everyone expects you to be the best and not be rattled when things go a little sideways. The perfect example of this is Alabama's Week 2 win over Texas where the Longhorns shutdown Young for much of the game, holding the Crimson Tide scoreless in the middle two quarters.
When Alabama needed Young most, he came through. He led an 11-play, 75-yard drive where he completed 6-of-8 passes for 51 yards and ran for another 17. His touchdown pass to running back Jahmyr Gibbs gave Bama a 17-16 lead with 8:29 left in the game.
Texas regained the lead with a field goal with 2:26 left, but that left too much time on the clock for the future No. 1 pick. Young led a similar drive where he went 5/7 for 41 yards to go along with a 20-yard scramble, putting Alabama in field goal range for the game-winning field goal.
This is just one of the several examples of how Young can keep his composure in the clutch despite not having his A game.
Sure, the NFL is a completely different beast and he'll go through his fair share of struggles. But how Young typically responds to adversity is what makes the Panthers comfortable with the idea of throwing him out there Week 1 in Atlanta.
The big stage doesn't phase him, nor should it considering how much he's been on it throughout his career. You're not going to see him play out of character or outside of the offense because the defense presents a foggy picture. He'll make the most out of every situation and not try to win the game on one play.
When you combine his composure, intelligence, and the support he has around him be it Frank Reich, Josh McCown, Andy Dalton, Jim Caldwell, Thomas Brown, etc. there's a real chance for him to succeed at a high level in his rookie season and lead the Panthers to a division title.
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