Carolina’s big two additions in free agency were both guards. The goal, apparently, is to give Bryce Young a chance at turning things around.

Young was the 2nd-most sacked quarterback last year. At 62 sacks in 16 games, that works out to almost 4 per week. Hence the decision to cut big checks for Robert Hunt (Miami) and Damien Lewis (Seattle). Combined, their salaries now average $33.25 million.

Carolina also hired Dave Canales as its head coach. When Canales was in Tampa Bay last year, he did a good job of working with another undersized and struggling quarterback (Baker Mayfield). Canales also worked with Russell Wilson in Seattle, so he’s got experience with shorter quarterbacks.

At the same time, Young definitely struggled last year, fantasy and otherwise. Carolina ranked last in offensive yards, and no team scored fewer points.

In the 32-team era, only 20 rookie quarterbacks selected in the first round have started at least half of their teams’ games and not ranked among the top-25 quarterbacks on a per-game basis. Young is now in that group.

STRUGGLING ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS
YearPlayerStPassTDPIntRunTDRPtsRk
2002David Carr, Hou.16162.56.9418.1913.528
2002Joey Harrington, Det.121871.001.330.0013.429
2003Kyle Boller, Balt.9139.781.007.0011.631
2008Joe Flacco, Balt.16186.88.7511.1314.826
2009Mark Sanchez, NYJ15163.801.337.2013.528
2011Blaine Gabbert, Jac.14154.86.797.0011.833
2012Brandon Weeden, Cle.15226.931.137.0015.827
2012Ryan Tannehill, Mia.16206.75.8113.1315.628
2014Blake Bortles, Jac.13207.691.1530.0016.227
2016Carson Wentz, Phil.162361.00.889.1317.827
2017Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.12183.58.5821.1714.729
2018Sam Darnold, NYJ132201.311.1511.0817.827
2018Josh Rosen, Ariz.13172.851.0010.0013.132
2020Tua Tagovailoa, Mia.92011.22.5612.3318.429
2021Mac Jones, N.E.172241.29.768.0017.126
2021Justin Fields, Chi.10180.70.9039.1016.330
2021Trevor Lawrence, Jac.17214.711.0020.1216.229
2021Zach Wilson, NYJ13180.69.8514.3115.231
2022Kenny Pickett, Pitt.12190.58.5019.0814.530
2023Bryce Young, Car.16180.69.6316.0013.628

If we take those struggling quarterbacks and look at how they performed in their next season, only five (of 19) were able to rank higher than 20th. That group includes Trevor Lawrence (11th in 2022) and four quarterbacks who averaged top-10 numbers but who ultimately were dumped pretty quickly by the teams that selected them.

STRUGGLING ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS (2nd seasons)
YearPlayerStPassTDPIntRunTDRPtsRk
2003David Carr, Hou.11181.821.0911.1814.526
2003Joey Harrington, Det.161801.061.385.0014.027
2004Kyle Boller, Balt.16160.81.6912.0612.931
2009Joe Flacco, Balt.162261.31.754.0016.921
2010Mark Sanchez, NYJ162061.06.817.1916.423
2012Blaine Gabbert, Jac.10166.90.606.0012.931
2013Ryan Tannehill, Mia.162451.501.0615.0620.120
2013Brandon Weeden, Cle.53041.601.608.0022.5--
2015• Blake Bortles, Jac.162772.191.1319.1325.42
2017• Carson Wentz, Phil.132542.54.5423.0025.72
2018• Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.142301.71.8630.2123.210
2019Sam Darnold, NYJ132331.461.005.1519.326
2019Josh Rosen, Mia.3155.331.004.009.5--
2021Tua Tagovailoa, Mia.122081.33.8311.1717.822
2022• Justin Fields, Chi.151491.13.7376.5323.06
2022• Trevor Lawrence, Jac.172421.47.4717.2921.811
2022Mac Jones, N.E.142141.00.797.0716.028
2022Zach Wilson, NYJ9188.67.7811.1113.831
2023Kenny Pickett, Pitt.12173.50.335.0811.629
2024Bryce Young, Car.????????

—Ian Allan