The Carolina Panthers, who finished with the NFL's worst record last season, got off to a disastrous start that led to a shocking move in which Bryce Young, the team's No. 1 overall pick last season, was benched.
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will lead Dan Canales' new offense in Charlotte this week, but Young has three interceptions, no touchdowns and just 245 yards while completing just 55.4 percent of his passes in the first two games.
The Panthers invested heavily in Young, trading a high draft pick and veteran receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears two years ago for the No. 1 overall pick in 2023. The Panthers selected Young out of the Crimson Tide, while the Houston Texans acquired CJ Stroud out of Ohio State.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young throws a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
While the Texans appear to be the better of the two teams at the moment, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't believe the downward trend is entirely Young's fault.
Following the news of Young's benching, Kiper slammed the Panthers organization on “Get Up” Tuesday morning.
“I think it's fair to say we mishandled Bryce Young when we drafted him because we knew he was an exception,” Kiper began via the Awful Announcements. “Russell Wilson was bigger. He was taller, but he was 5'10″ and 3/4”. That gave a 5'10″ quarterback a chance. But Russell Wilson was 205. [pounds]You get 208, not 180.
“Kyler Murray was the No. 1 overall pick because of Russell Wilson. He's not the same build as Bryce Young. So you knew Bryce Young was not only short, he's an undersized quarterback who needed help, right?
Panthers will reportedly bench Bryce Young after two games and replace him with three-time Pro Bowler
“Also, continuity is key. Draft a quarterback. Everybody talks about Carolina having a great infrastructure in place – head coach, coordinator, quarterbacks coach. Everything's in place. Senior assistants, everything's in place. And look at what he did with C.J. Stroud on the field as a rookie. Six touchdowns, three interceptions, not including the three games where he threw multiple interceptions. He had a decent game last year.”
The Panthers struggled last season, finishing with a 2-15 record, worst in the league, and would have had the No. 1 overall pick again had they not been traded to the Bears. Chicago selected Caleb Williams from USC as the promising quarterback of the future in the Windy City.
But Kiper believes the Panthers were too hasty in firing everyone after a season in which Young threw for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 73.7 quarterback rating.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales talks with quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
“We've got to change everything, because coming into this year, C.J. Stroud is doing so well in Houston,” Kiper said, “'We've got to destroy this. We've got to blow it up and start over, because C.J. Stroud is doing so well in Houston. These coaches are getting it done.' So we brought in the offensive coach who was with Baker. [Mayfield] There's a lot more to it than that, right? We're going to bring in a new passing game coordinator and a new quarterbacks coach in Bryce Young. And we're not going to play him in the preseason! We're going to play him in one series in the final game of the preseason.
“Just a note, C.J. Stroud played two preseason games this year. Derek Carr played two preseason games. Why? Because Klint Kubiak came in with a new offense. And Derek Carr is a veteran and played two preseason games.”
“Bryce Young played one series in the preseason finale against a no-name Buffalo Bills defense. Is it reasonable to say he can't play after two games?”
Young is still struggling, going 2-16 in 18 games in his NFL career. It's not the start Young had hoped for, and experts and fans alike are saying Young just seems completely unsure of himself as a center right now, including Kiper.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York, USA. (Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports)
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“Yes, his confidence has been hit. Yes, he needs to take a back seat to Andy Dalton for a while. But to blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous. The blame here is on the organization, the ownership, for their mishandling.”
Young will be stepping down behind Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Cincinnati Bengals, from whom he has a lot to learn. Canales was brought in to turn things around in Carolina, but the coaching staff has clearly had enough, benching Young for now and allowing the veteran quarterback to take over the lead.
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