Panthers legend Jonathan Stewart is all the way in on Bryce Young. As first reported by ClutchPoints, the former Carolina running back compared Young’s pre-snap control, processing and pocket presence to Peyton Manning, and said the fourth-year QB could earn a deal in the neighborhood of Baker Mayfield’s $55 million-per-year extension with Tampa Bay.
Stewart kept it plain: “If he continues to put up these numbers and be the reason why they have a shot to win every game, you got to pay him.”
The Numbers Behind the Hype
Through four games, Young has thrown for 1,268 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. His best day came in the 32-26 win over Detroit, when he threw for 329 yards with zero turnovers and had Charlotte chanting “MVP”. Carolina sits at 2-2 heading into its Week 5 bye, and he’s done it with key weapons like Jonathon Brooks and Xavier Legette dealing with injuries.
The IAHHM Take
A Manning comp is a heavy thing to put on anybody, so let’s be fair about what Stewart is saying. He’s not calling Young a Hall of Famer. He’s pointing at the stuff that doesn’t show up in highlights: the command at the line, getting the ball out on time, and not panicking when the pocket gets muddy. That’s the part of Young’s game that looked shaky in years one and two, and it’s the part that’s clearly grown in Dave Canales’ offense.
The money talk is the real story for Carolina. A QB the city almost gave up on is now the guy a franchise legend says you have to pay. That’s a turnaround Charlotte should enjoy. Four games is still four games, though. If Young keeps this up after the bye, the contract conversation gets loud fast.
Is Stewart onto something, or is it too early for Manning talk? Let us know.
Source: ClutchPoints
