The Panthers' Young Problem: A Recipe for Disaster

Mel Kiper Jr. is not holding back his frustration with the Carolina Panthers' handling of quarterback Bryce Young. He believes the entire organization is at fault for not providing Young with the necessary support to succeed. The ESPN NFL draft analyst makes some valid points, but is the team really to blame for Young's struggles? Kiper's criticism lies in the Panthers' failure to create a stable environment for Young to grow. Despite drafting him as the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, the team changed coaching staffs and playstyles, causing inconsistency and confusion for the young quarterback. The Panthers took Young over other talented prospects like CJ Stroud, based on their assessments of his potential. However, Young's physical limitations – being smaller and less athletic than other top quarterbacks – make him a more difficult prospect to develop. In his rookie season, Young showed flashes of brilliance, beating Stroud and the Texans in Week 8. But he also struggled with turnovers, throwing 10 interceptions compared to 11 touchdowns. This up-and-down performance led to speculation that the Panthers should bench Young in favor of backup Andy Dalton. Kiper argues that the decision to bench Young was not solely his fault. He notes that the young quarterback had shown promise in certain games, but was also plagued by inexperience and poor coaching. The Panthers' constant changes, including three head coaches in 18 games, did little to help Young develop. The bigger issue, according to Kiper, is that the Panthers' brass prioritized short-term fixes over long-term development. They brought in new coaches and systems, hoping to salvage Young's season, rather than focusing on building a stable foundation for his future.