Draft guru shreds Panthers' handling of Bryce Young in epic tirade

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Draft guru shreds Panthers' handling of QB Bryce Young in epic tirade

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 17, 2024 1:10 PM ET

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. blew a fuse while discussing the Carolina Panthers' handling of second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

On Monday, the Panthers benched 2023 No. 1 overall pick Young, replacing him with 14-year veteran Andy Dalton. In two starts, Young has completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 245 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The Panthers (0-2) are last in the NFC South.

On a Tuesday episode of ESPN's "Get Up," Kiper claimed Carolina should shoulder the blame for Young's struggles.

Mel Kiper with an All-Time Mel Kiper rant for the ages on Bryce Young. pic.twitter.com/Hhb54yjl0i
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 17, 2024

"Yes, his confidence is shattered. Yes, he needs to sit behind Andy Dalton for a little bit," Kiper said. "But to blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous. The blame here goes to the organization and the owner [David Tepper] for a mishandling."

Young's size (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) has likely contributed to his problems in the NFL. However, the Panthers may have set him up for failure.

Before the 2023 NFL Draft, Carolina dealt two first-rounders, two second-rounders and wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears to acquire the No. 1 pick and take Young. The move clearly inhibited its ability to build around the 23-year-old.

During Young's rookie season, Carolina fired head coach Frank Reich after 11 games, and the Panthers finished 2-15.

This offseason, Dave Canales replaced Reich as Panthers HC. Young only played one preseason drive against the Buffalo Bills, giving him little time to learn Canales' system.

"Bryce Young played on one series in the final preseason game against the nobodies on defense for the Buffalo Bills," Kiper said. "Does that make sense when you're two games in saying he can't play?"

Kiper added Saints 11th-year QB Derek Carr — who leads the league in QBR (96.2) through two games — played two preseason games under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Carolina hasn't made the playoffs since 2017 and has logged six straight losing seasons. Perhaps Young's career would be panning out if another team drafted him.

Regardless, Young — the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner — hasn't met expectations. In 18 regular-season starts, the former Alabama star has a 2-16 record and has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (11).

Young's future seems unclear. On Monday, ESPN's Benjamin Solak suggested the Miami Dolphins trade for him. Dolphins starting QB Tua Tagovailoa's status is uncertain because of concussion issues.

Whether another team trades for Young or not, the Panthers' dysfunction has clearly hampered his career.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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