Just two games into the 2024 NFL season, Bryce Young's NFL career already appeared to be in serious jeopardy.
The quarterback, selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was benched just two games into the season, replacing 37-year-old reserve Andy Dalton after a 26-3 loss at the hands of the team. was fulfilled. Los Angeles Chargers.
Young's play in this game was, at best, uninspiring. He finished the game with just 86 passing yards and one interception on 26 pass attempts. The Panthers QB went just 2-16 as a starter, and many believed this was the beginning of the end of his time in Carolina.
It was natural to think that maybe Young needed a change of pace. He hasn't played well, but the Panthers aren't exactly the gold standard of NFL franchises at this point. A franchise that benches its quarterback two games into its second NFL season probably isn't a team that can be successful long-term.
But there was one man, Bryce Young, who never lost his faith. Here was a man who still believed he could be a good, maybe even great, NFL quarterback. There was one guy who was willing to let everyone know he still saw a star in Bryce Young.
The man's name is Rodarius Marcel Green, but you probably know him as rapper, singer, and songwriter Rod Wave.
The Wave reached out to Young on Instagram shortly after news of his benching became public. That was interesting. Because…what did he have to say to Young?
Could it be that they are friends and he simply wanted to provide support during what was one of the most difficult times in his life? I don't know how people form friendships, but it was completely out of the blue that Rod Wave reached out to Bryce Young. In a public place where everyone can see.
It's still unclear what exactly Rod Wave said to Bryce Young during the phone call, but it's clear that whatever he said went better than anyone expected. .
Over the past five games, Bryce Young has completed 60.6 percent (102-of-169), 1,082 passing yards, six touchdown passes, and three interceptions.
These numbers may not jump off the screen and scream “Franchise Quarterback!” But the important thing to remember is that in Young's first two starts of the season, he completed 55 percent of his passes with 245 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The improvement in Bryce Young's game is obvious, and Rod Wave was clearly the catalyst. carolina panthers Beat writer Sheena Quick took the opportunity to ask the question on everyone's mind. What did Rod Wave say that sparked this change in direction?
The fact that Bryce Young and Rod Wave had no relationship before Wave contacted him is surprising. He saw someone going through a difficult situation and out of the kindness of his own heart decided to be there for him.
If Rod Wave decides he wants to step away from (great) music production, it looks like a successful career as a quarterbacks coach may lie ahead.
