C. J. Stroud defends Bryce Young's poor rookie year, points to Panthers O-line for QB's stinker

C. J. Stroud has come to the defense of Bryce Young after contrasting seasons for the two quarterbacks who were selected second and first respectively in the 2023 NFL Draft.

While Young, the first overall pick struggled with the Carolina Panthers, finishing 2-15, the Houston Texans' C. J. Stroud took his team to the playoffs by winning the AFC South and a game in the postseason.

Nevertheless, C. J. Stroud reckons Bryce Young will eventually come good and was hampered by a poor supporting cast with the Panthers, saying on "The Pivot Podcast":

“In his shoes, I feel like a lot of stuff didn’t go his way. That was out of his control. You can’t make a play if somebody don’t block.

"You can’t make a play if somebody don’t catch a ball. And when you watch the tape, Bryce did a lot great things. He’s gonna be a great player, but it takes time.”

C. J. Stoud also said that the Texans were lucky that they got in some great players to complement him and DeMeco Ryans did a great job as coach:

“I think I came into a situation where we were strugglin’, but we still had a lot of good pieces. And Nick Caserio, our GM, brought in a lot of good vets. DeMeco (Ryans) was the perfect coach for our type of team."

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C. J. Stroud reveals what he told Bryce Young

The Texans star said that he said the same thing to Bryce Young too. C.J. Stroud reminded the Panthers quarterback that he was the first pick for a reason.

The Houston quarterback also added that he thinks his counterpart in Carolina will have a great season this year and hopes that he too will continue his dazzling form.

“Like I said earlier, everybody’s path is different. Maybe I had a good rookie year, and Bryce is gonna have a great second year. And hopefully I do, too.

"But I know everything’s gonna be fine for him. And I told him, like, ‘You the one, bruh. You the one for a reason.'”

The last thing Bryce Young probably wants is sympathy or pity from other players, especially from ones in the same draft class as him. But the Carolina rookie can take heart in the fact that he came out on top against Stroud in one of the rare bright spots for the Panthers this season.