In a draft class that was touted as a quarterback frenzy, the 2023 NFL Draft left fans buzzing—after all, three of the top four picks were signal-callers. Fast forward to now, and the plot has thickened dramatically: two of those three highly-touted rookies have found themselves riding the pine.
Following a rocky start, the Carolina Panthers made the surprising decision to bench their crown jewel, Bryce Young, the first overall pick after trading up from No. 9. Young was replaced by veteran Andy Dalton just after a couple of weeks, leaving fans scratching their heads. Fast forward to Week 8, and rookie Anthony Richardson, selected fourth overall, has also returned to the bench, this time for former Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco. Who would have thought that the quarterbacks that set the draft stage on fire would now be cooling their heels?
The lone bright spot in this quarterback carousel, however, is C.J. Stroud. The dynamic Texans quarterback and second overall pick has been turning heads and racking up wins like they’re going out of style. Stroud’s competence has not only solidified his starting role but has propelled the Houston Texans to a jaw-dropping 6-2 record, putting them squarely in the playoff race, eyeing a second consecutive postseason appearance. Meanwhile, the Panthers languish at the bottom of the league’s pecking order—far from the success they envisioned with Young at the helm. Even the Indianapolis Colts, at a pedestrian 4-4, might sneak into the playoffs, with Flacco under center leading the way.
For Young and Richardson, the future seems hazier than a foggy night on the field. Young’s record stands at a mere two victories in his last 19 games—a statistic that turns any passionate fan’s stomach. Now, as Young navigates the murky waters of QB turmoil, he returns to the starting lineup after Dalton’s injury. Across the league, Richardson’s 10 starts haven’t provided the solutions the Colts were hoping for either.
As the Tuesday trade deadline looms, the notion of either quarterback being traded seems like a long shot. Nonetheless, it raises fascinating questions for the offseason: Will the Panthers be hunting for a new starter? And could the Colts offer Richardson a fresh slate in Indianapolis? Or perhaps a team with a soft spot for Richardson will swoop in with an offer too tempting to resist?
The intrigue doesn’t stop there! The specter of a regime change in Indianapolis looms large—an upheaval might hasten Richardson’s departure, turning this mystery into a soap opera that fans can’t stop watching.
With every twist and turn, this story serves as a stark reminder: youth can be unpredictable, especially at the quarterback position. As we’ve seen time and again, sometimes a fresh start with a different team can be the catalyst for these young guns to finally hit their stride. For Young and Richardson, the clock is ticking, and there’s a sense of urgency that could see them starting anew as soon as 2025—unless a jaw-dropping trade surprises us all in the coming days. Stay tuned, folks; the NFL is never short of surprises!
