The recent benching of quarterback Bryce Young has sparked criticism from various corners of the NFL community regarding the Carolina Panthers’ management of their first overall pick from the 2023 draft.
On the latest episode of the “Throwbacks” podcast, former NFL quarterback and analyst Matt Leinart unleashed his frustrations at the Panthers for thrusting Young into action as a rookie.
“It drives me crazy that we feel the need to rush these young players into the spotlight,” Leinart stated, as reported by NBC Montana and other outlets. “In Young’s case, he lacks a solid supporting cast—his offensive line is struggling, and he’s dealing with a new system. He needs all the practice he can get. Instead of throwing him into the regular season right away, I would have preferred to give him preseason reps to acclimate and get a feel for the game. This is a significant organizational failure by the Panthers.”
After the 2023 draft, former general manager Scott Fitterer acknowledged the need to strengthen the offensive line, yet the plan was always for Young to start in Week 1. His debut season has been tumultuous, marked by struggles and the firing of head coach Frank Reich in November, followed by Fitterer’s dismissal after the season.
Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady stirred discussions in August by lamenting the trend of forcing rookies into early play rather than allowing them to develop at a higher level. Leinart echoed this sentiment, pointing out that quarterbacks today often look to the sideline for plays, which hampers their development in handling checks, reads, and progressions crucial for NFL success.
Leinart believes that veteran Andy Dalton, who has been mentoring Young since 2023 and is currently the Panthers’ starter, is an excellent influence and could facilitate a much-needed “reboot” for the young QB. However, it appears that Young may be eager to move on from the Panthers soon, despite reports suggesting that some teams might be hesitant to pursue him due to his lackluster performance since September 2023.