Panthers TE Hayden Hurst defends rookie QB Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst defended teammate Bryce Young amid a difficult season for the rookie quarterback and the organization. 

"I don’t think you can sit here and just point fingers at one guy," Hurst told Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital for a piece published Friday. "I think, at different points, everybody offensively has contributed to losses. That doesn’t exclude myself. I haven't played up to my standards that I set for myself last year playing [with the Cincinnati Bengals] and playing in some big games. That carryover a little bit hasn’t happened 100% for me, so I’m accountable as well." 

Hurst has tallied 18 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown across nine games this season. 

Days after Panthers owner David Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich with the team at 1-10, Young told reporters that "we all take ownership" for what's gone wrong this season. While Young has largely failed to live up to expectations as the No. 1 overall pick of this year's draft, second overall choice and Houston Texans starting signal-caller C.J. Stroud is cruising toward earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

According to ESPN stats, Young enters the weekend ranked 29th in the NFL out of 30 qualified players with a 32.1 adjusted QBR on the season. He recorded nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions over his first 10 games. 

"Obviously Bryce has kinda taken his lumps this year, as we all have," Hurst added about his QB1. "But the one thing that’s been a constant about him is no matter if it’s a 30-point loss or whatever it is, he’s in that building Monday morning trying to get better. In the situation that we’re in right now, where wins are kinda at a premium, all you can ask for is accountability and him being constant. That’s what we’re finding."

Interim head coach Chris Tabor will guide the one-win Panthers into Sunday's game at the 4-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As of late Friday afternoon, oddschecker listed Carolina as a five-point underdog for that matchup.