Wed Sep 18 03:34:16 UTC 2024: ## Carolina Panthers Bench Bryce Young, Mel Kiper Jr. Blames Team for Quarterback’s Struggles
**CHARLOTTE, NC** – The Carolina Panthers have made a shocking move, benching their highly touted rookie quarterback Bryce Young after just two games and replacing him with veteran Andy Dalton.
Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has struggled mightily in his first two games, throwing for just 245 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. The team had traded away several key assets, including star receiver D.J. Moore, to acquire the top pick and draft Young.
While some analysts believe the Panthers may have made the wrong choice in drafting Young over C.J. Stroud (who went to the Houston Texans), ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has placed the blame squarely on the Panthers’ organization.
“I think mishandle is the word because when you drafted Bryce Young, you knew he was an outlier,” Kiper said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “Russell Wilson was bigger, taller, but only 5’10” and three quarters. That opened it up for the 5’10” quarterback. But Russell Wilson was 205 [pounds], 208 coming out. Not 180.”
Kiper believes that the Panthers’ failure to adequately support Young is a major factor in his struggles. The team’s lack of offensive line protection and the absence of a strong running game have created difficult conditions for the young quarterback.
The Panthers’ decision to bench Young has sent shockwaves through the NFL, and fans are left wondering if the team made the right call. Only time will tell if the Panthers can turn things around with Dalton at the helm, or if this is the beginning of a long, arduous rebuild.
First Piper 