The Carolina Panthers’ decision to bench Bryce Young has many people talking around the NFL.
It’s a move that’s raised more than a few eyebrows, given Young’s status as the first overall pick in the draft.
Benching such a high-profile rookie after just 18 games is almost unheard of, and it’s left many questioning the team’s long-term strategy and stability.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. pulled no punches when addressing the situation on Tuesday’s “Get Up” show.
He went on a long rant about the Panthers organization, arguing that Young shouldn’t bear the brunt of the blame for his struggles.
“To blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous. The blame here goes to the organization, the owner, for mishandling this young quarterback,” Kiper asserted.
He pointed to the revolving door of coaches and significant changes in offensive strategy as key factors in Young’s difficulties.
Kiper suggested that Carolina’s decision-making may have been influenced by C.J. Stroud’s quick success with the Texans, leading to hasty changes and insufficient preseason preparation for Young.
Kiper’s arguments hold water when you consider Young’s entry into the NFL.
At 5’10” and 204 pounds, he doesn’t fit the mold of a typical quarterback, which raised questions despite his 2021 Heisman Trophy win.
Unlike some past No. 1 picks, Young wasn’t viewed as a sure thing, and as Kiper notes, the Panthers seem to have fumbled his development from the start.
There’s no denying Young’s rookie year was rough, and his progress has been limited.
His Week 2 performance – a mere 84 yards on 26 passes – was particularly disappointing.
However, given the challenging circumstances he’s faced, it’s fair to say that many quarterbacks would have struggled in his shoes.
