Why Steve Young believes Bryce Young can revive his career

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hall of Fame quarterback Steve YoungsaysBryce Young will get a chance to prove worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft, whether it's with the Carolina Panthers or another team.

He can't say whether Bryce Young's story will turn out as good as his. Few do.

But he's hopeful it will happen for the young quarterback who was benched Monday, and he says it's important for it to happen with the Panthers.

"He's got the talent, he's got the ability,'' Steve Young told ESPN this week. "Go make it happen. But if you're going to start focusing on all the things that aren't perfect, you're not going to get there.''

Steve Young has more in common with Bryce Young than a last name, though they aren't related. Steve lived what he calls the "flameout movie'' of highly drafted quarterbacks.

He was a combined 3-16 two years after being selected first in the 1984 supplemental draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was so bad, throwing 24 interceptions and 11 touchdowns, that he was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers before his third season.

He was called a bust.

His early career resembles that of Bryce Young, who has a 2-16 record, 10 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. And, like Steve Young, he's being called a bust.

But as Steve Young reminded, Bryce is playing for a franchise with six straight losing seasons.

He experienced the same thing in 1984 when he joined a Tampa Bay franchise in the midst of 12 straight 10-loss seasons.

"The system has always been set to make it very difficult for a No. 1 choice because you usually go to the worst team,'' Young said. "It's set up for trouble.''

But Young is a great example of why it doesn't have to turn out that way -- and why it could take time.

It wasn't until his eighth season, after backing up Hall of Famer Joe Montanafor five years in San Francisco, that Young erased the bust tag with a 14-2 record. He went on to become a three-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL MVP and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That's why Steve Young, 62, is adamant it's too early to call Bryce Young a bust. He's also adamant Bryce Young is doing the best thing by being accountable for his part in the benching, whether he believes it or not.

"Carolina's mistakes, the owner's mistakes, management's mistakes ... and his mistakes,'' Steve Young said. "That's quarterbacking. He literally has to grit his teeth and get back on the field, do the things to regain the confidence that got him here.''

That's what Bryce Young did Wednesday by running the scout team while veteran Andy Dalton took first-team reps in preparation for the game Sunday at the 1-1Las Vegas Raiders(4:05 p.m. ET), and Thursday by taking ownership of his situation in his first interview since the demotion.

"For the most part, every snap hit my hands and I didn't do enough,'' he said.

Was Bryce Young angry about being demoted? According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, absolutely.

Does he see his future in Carolina? From his perspective, all options are on the table, according to a source close to him.

But publicly Bryce Young put his head down and went back to work. He showed the professionalism he has been known for, just as Steve Young did when traded to the 49ers.

Carolina coach Dave Canales saw that and said Bryce Young "absolutely'' still can be a franchise quarterback in the league. He made it clear the team isn't looking to trade him.

"It's definitely not over,'' running back Miles Sanders said.

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen agreed, admitting after Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that "this isn't a Bryce Young issue.''

"This is an offensive team issue,'' he added.

It's an issue, according to a source with knowledge of the Panthers' thinking, that in time will be resolved with more players and allowing Young back into the starting lineup -- maybe even this season. Much depends on how Dalton does while Young improves his skills and confidence.

From Canales to teammates to Steve Young, they don't believe Bryce's size (5-foot 10, 204 pounds) was a factor.

It's also an indictment of a league that encourages rookie quarterbacks to play immediately even when not ready.

"You have to have a system that feeds into that prototype," Steve Young said. "I'm not so sure that's what he's had.''

He says the onus is on Bryce Young to save his own career and urges him not to listen to anyone who blames others for where he is.

"If you start listing the 500 problems that are now yours, you're not going to get there,'' Steve Young said. "You've seen this movie, people flame out and never really get back on the field. And if they do it's usually with another team.''

And that can take years.

Look at Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, the first and third picks of the 2018 draft. Each is on his fourth team, Mayfield in Tampa Bay and Darnold with the Minnesota Vikings. Both were given up on early by the teams that drafted them -- and later by the Panthers.

This season both are 2-0 and rank fourth (Darnold) and sixth (Mayfield) in QBR.

That's why Mayfield saidthis week that Young's story "is far from over.''

Steve Young agrees. He also believes it would be best for Bryce Young to make his comeback with Carolina because switching teams takes time and the next situation could be worse.

"He has to blame no one but himself,'' Steve Young said. "I know that's hard. I'm urging him to start today to be the greatest backup quarterback ever. If he does that, he's got a chance.''