After Week 2 of the NFL season, the Carolina Panthers (0-2) are already making a change at the quarterback position, as they have made the decision to start 14-year veteran QB Andy Dalton in place of their 2023 first overall draft pick Bryce Young.
Coming off of a disappointing rookie year, Young has also gotten off to a slow start this 2024 season, throwing 245 yards with three interceptions and zero touchdowns in the first two games.
While most TV personalities, such as Stephen A. Smith, who have called out Young, for being "maybe the biggest bust in NFL history," there is one analyst who has come to the defense of the Panthers QB.
That is to say, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. appeared on the "Get Up" show Tuesday, and had a lot to say, as he went on a rant saying the quarterback's struggles is more so an organizational failure than the fault of the player.
Mel Kiper went on an ALL-TIME rant, blaming the Carolina #Panthers organization for failing Bryce Young.pic.twitter.com/dUbi1xdNOd https://t.co/euzI0Ch7dl
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2024
"I think 'mishandled' is the word," Kiper said. "Because when you drafted Bryce Young, (you) knew he was an outlier. Russell Wilson was bigger, taller, but only 5'10 and three quarters, that opened it up for the 5'10 quarterback."
Kiper Jr. continued while also noting the team has not provided enough weapons surrounding him, as Young, who is already undersized himself, seemingly hasn't even been put in a position to find success on the field.
Many have compared the No. 1 overall pick former Alabama quarterback, to Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, who was taken with the No. 2 pick in the draft out of Ohio State. Considering that Stroud won Rookie of the Year, Young has been viewed by many as a missed draft pick.
However, Kiper Jr. has looked at the positives, as one of the Panthers two wins last year came against Stroud.
"And then you see him beat CJ Stroud on the field as a rookie. You take out the three games he threw multiple interceptions, he was six touchdowns, three picks. [He] had some decent games last year."
In comparison, during Young's rookie year the team had a 2-15 record, as he passed for 2,877 yards (59.8%), while throwing 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions (73.7 quarterback rating; ranked 34th).
On the other hand, Stroud passed for 4,108 yards and had 23 touchdowns with only five interceptions (100.8 quarterback rating; ranked 4th), while also leading his team to the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs.
Kiper Jr. cited that Stroud's success is the reason behind the Panthers changing the whole coaching staff around.
"But then you go into this year, you change everything because CJ Stroud's doing so well in Houston. 'We got to destroy this thing, we got to blow it up and start over because CJ Stroud's doing so great in Houston. These coaches aren't getting it done.'" Kiper said. "So we bring in an offensive coach who was with Baker (Mayfield) and others. Bring in a new pass game coordinator, new quarterback coach for Bryce Young."
Having three head coaches through his first 18 games in the league certainly hasn't helped him get settled in, as Kiper Jr. noted that Young does need to take time to learn and develop. Nevertheless, ultimately the NFL analyst believes he is not as bad as people think, it's that Young has just not been put in a good position.
"Yes, his confidence was shattered. Yes, he does need to sit behind Andy Dalton for a little bit. But to blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous. The blame here goes to the organization, the owner, mishandling this young quarterback."
Related: Andy Dalton On Taking Over At QB For Terrible Panthers: 'I'm Excited About What's Ahead'
