The Carolina Panthers continue to give Bryce Young chances.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick hasn't been given up on too quickly. The Panthers want to see him fully claim their franchise quarterback spot.
Young just hasn't risen to that level consistently yet. He had the Panthers at 5-4 this season, then put up a total stinker against the previously one-win Saints.
If it doesn't get better the rest of the season, Carolina will at least start to consider an alternative.
ESPN's Ben Solak has a suggestion: Mac Jones, the former No. 15 overall pick by the New England Patriots who has started games this season for the San Francisco 49ers as Brock Purdy's backup.
"You know who loves to funnel targets to a star No. 1 receiver and has the sort of pocket fearlessness that Smith and Mayfield both displayed? Mac Jones," Solak writes. "Is he under contract with the 49ers in 2026? Yes. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there. He would be a good fit."
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Solak also speculates about the idea of Trevor Lawrence from the Jaguars, which he doesn't see as realistic, or maybe Kyler Murray from the Cardinals, who will be a popular rumor target this offseason.
But Jones makes sense in the context of a QB who with a fresh start can look better than he ever did in his original spot.
"As was well covered when he was hired, (Dave) Canales was part of Geno Smith's rehabilitation in Seattle and Baker Mayfield's in Tampa Bay," Solak writes. "This offense is plug-and-play ready for a functional veteran, with a strong offensive line and a budding elite receiver in Tetairoa McMillan."
The 49ers may be hesitant to get rid of Jones, especially given Purdy's persistent injuries this season.
But if the Panthers pursued him well enough, Jones could potentially be theirs. And that'd be an intriguing way to move on from Young.
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