Nick Saban ruthlessly destroys Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers: Trade on the horizon?
After the Carolina Panthers’ 2024 NFL season got off to a bad start, they took the unexpected decision to bench Bryce Young, their franchise quarterback.
Many have questioned Young’s performance, but one of his strongest supporters—Nick Saban, his old college coach—has stood by him. On The Pat McAfee Show, the Alabama icon who mentored Young to an SEC Championship and a Heisman Trophy had a lot to say about how the Panthers handled their young quarterback.
The Panthers did not surround Bryce Young with talent, according to Saban.
The move of Bryce Young to the NFL has not gone well at all. He was chosen by the Panthers as the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and they were hoping he would end up becoming the cornerstone of their team.
Nick Saban, though, feels that the Panthers should have done more to prepare Young for success. Saban made clear how challenging the quarterback position can be, particularly in situations where a team does not have the required resources to assist the individual.
On The Pat McAfee Show, Saban stated, “Playing quarterback is a really hard position to play if the people around you don’t play well.” “Do they have the type of players around Bryce Young to even give him a chance to be successful?” he asked, pointing to the dearth of skill around Young.
When the Panthers made the trade to advance from the No. 9 pick to the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, they lacked skill. They sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and standout receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the deal. Young was acquired through the deal, but the team’s resources were low, giving the youngster few alternatives on the field.
The Battles of Bryce Young: What Went Wrong?
The Panthers had high hopes for Bryce Young’s debut season, but it was far from a game-changing performance. With a league-worst 2-15 record at the end of 2023, Young’s stats were unimpressive. His passing total was a dismal 73.7 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2,877 yards of passing.
The year 2024 brought no improvement. Young only threw for 245 yards and three interceptions in the Panthers’ opening two games of the season, as they were outscored 73–13. Unexpectedly, head coach Dave Canales benched Young and gave veteran Andy Dalton the starting spot.
However, Saban maintains that Young might not need to be benched. While conceding that the Panthers must rebuild the squad before a talent like Young can really succeed, Saban added, “I hate to see Bryce get benched.”
Although Young is currently benched, Saban thinks this presents a chance for improvement. He’s always been a guy who, in a way, became better at what went wrong. “Hopefully, this will present him with another chance to excel,” Saban stated, reiterating his belief in Young’s long-term prospects.
Is Bryce Young Going to Be Traded?
Bryce Young is observing from the sidelines, and rumors about his future in Carolina are starting to circulate. Despite the Panthers’ public declaration that they are not aggressively shopping the former No. 1 selection, numerous sources indicate that multiple NFL teams have already indicated interest in trade for Young.
A number of teams have reportedly asked about Young’s availability, and others are considering making a deal, according to ESPN. While the Panthers’ front staff and head coach Dave Canales insist that trading Young is “not something we’re really considering,” many feel that the team’s thinking may shift come the offseason, particularly if the Panthers’ problems persist.
The parallels with other recent trades involving quarterbacks are instructive. Josh Rosen, the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round selection, was released after just one season, and Zach Wilson, the New York Jets’ turbulent starter, was traded to the Denver Broncos. Though it’s unlikely they’d return anything close to what they gave up, the Panthers could try to recover some of the assets they lost in the trade to choose Young if they decide to move him.
Young’s viewpoint: “I Accept Responsibility”
In spite of the difficult circumstances, Bryce Young has remained upbeat. For the first time since the benching, Young spoke with media and acknowledged that the news was unexpected, but he also accepted full responsibility for his performance. Young remarked, “It was not something that I was necessarily expecting.” “I examine myself in the mirror, and I accept responsibility for that.”
Young also stated unequivocally that he will not give up. “I believe in myself,” he declared. “At the end of the day, I always feel like a competitor.”
It is unclear if Young will get another chance to start or if he will be traded as the Panthers continue their season with Andy Dalton as quarterback. For the time being, Saban and Young appear to concur that there will be more growth prospects in the future, whether they arise in North Carolina or elsewhere.
