Jets' Aaron Rodgers talks struggles of Panthers' Bryce Young

Injured New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is preaching patience regarding Carolina Panthers rookie Bryce Young as the 2023 first overall draft pick experiences some early-career struggles. 

"What did you expect? Like there was going to be some growing pains, for sure," Rodgers said about Young during Tuesday's edition of "The Pat McAfee Show," as shared by Matt Connolly of On3. "But I think they have a quarterback of the future. They definitely have a pass rusher of the future. But they’re a young team. They’re a really young team. There’s going to be some growing pains for all those guys." 

Back in August, Rodgers advised Young to "be gentle with yourself" and remember that becoming a successful quarterback at the highest level is "a long journey." That journey largely hasn't gone to Young's liking, as the Panthers entered their Week 7 bye at 0-6 and as the league's only winless team. 

According to ESPN stats, Young ended Week 6 ranked dead last in the NFL among qualified players with a 33.1 adjusted QBR and 28th with a 78.7 passer rating on the season. Across five games, he recorded six touchdown passes and four interceptions. 

First-year Carolina head coach Frank Reich has yet to earn a victory with the franchise and raised eyebrows throughout the NFL community when he said earlier this month that team owner David Tepper "wants to bring a winner to the Carolinas" and "wants it now." Rodgers suggested that it's far too early for anybody to question if the Young-Reich partnership will eventually produce Tepper's desired results. 

"This is a real knee-jerk reaction league and media and fanbase, though," Rodgers added during his comments. "I hope that that staff sticks around, because I think it’s a really well-put-together staff on both sides of the ball, and I hope they just have some patience because I think they’ve got some pieces."

The Panthers next host impressive first-year signal-caller C.J. Stroud and the 3-3 Houston Texans on Oct. 29. As of early Tuesday evening, OddsChecker listed Stroud as the betting favorite at -135 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for this season.