The Carolina Panthers made a stunning decision to bench their franchise quarterback, Bryce Young, following a rough start to the 2024 NFL season.
While many have questioned Young’s performance, one of his staunchest defenders—his former college coach, Nick Saban, has come to his aid. The Alabama legend, who coached Young to a Heisman Trophy and an SEC Championship, had plenty to say about the Panthers’ treatment of their young QB on The Pat McAfee Show.
Saban’s Take: Panthers Failed to Surround Bryce Young with Talent
Bryce Young’s transition to the NFL has been anything but smooth. The Panthers, who selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, hoped he would become their franchise cornerstone.
But according to Nick Saban, the Panthers didn’t do enough to set Young up for success. Saban highlighted how difficult the quarterback position can be, especially when a team lacks the necessary support around the player.
“Quarterback is a really hard position to play if the people around you don’t play well,” Saban said during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He pointed out the lack of talent around Young, asking, “Do they have the type of players around Bryce Young to even give him a chance to be successful?”
The Panthers were thin on talent when they made the trade to move up from the No. 9 pick to No. 1 in the 2023 draft. As part of the deal, they sent star receiver D.J. Moore, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks to the Chicago Bears. While the trade secured Young, it depleted the team’s assets, leaving the rookie with limited options on the field.
The Bryce Young Struggles: What Went Wrong?
Bryce Young’s rookie season was far from the franchise-saving performance the Panthers hoped for. The team ended 2023 with a league-worst 2-15 record, and Young’s numbers were mediocre. He threw for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, finishing with a disappointing 73.7 passer rating.
Things didn’t improve in 2024. In the first two games of the season, the Panthers were outscored 73-13, with Young throwing for just 245 yards and three interceptions across both games. Head coach Dave Canales, in a surprising move, benched Young and handed the starting job to veteran Andy Dalton.
But Saban insists that benching Young might not be the answer. “I hate to see Bryce get benched,” Saban said, acknowledging that the Panthers have to build the team from the ground up before a player like Young can truly thrive.
