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‘Know this ain’t on you!’ LeBron James, and many others, weigh in on Bryce Young benching

alex zietlow
·6 min read

The decision to bench second-year quarterback Bryce Young has sports fans across the country talking about the Carolina Panthers.

Count King James among them.

At 10:23 p.m. Tuesday, LeBron James had a message for Young and posted it to X for all of his 53 million to see.

“Bryce Young hold ya head Young (King)!!” James wrote. “Rooting for you and know this ain’t on you! Continue to put the work in and it shall prevail!”

James is among the greatest and most influential athletes of all time across all sports, so his words travel a bit further than most. But that’s not to say he was alone in his opinion, which comes in reaction to head coach Dave Canales’ decision on Monday to bench the 2023 No. 1 overall pick for veteran Andy Dalton, who will start on Sunday afternoon against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales talks to quarterback Bryce Young (9) and quarterback Andy Dalton (14) on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales talks to quarterback Bryce Young (9) and quarterback Andy Dalton (14) on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.

In fact, he’s far from alone.

Media personalities, athletes, celebrities and fans across the NFL all chimed in on this quarterback situation in Carolina. Some said the benching came at the right time, referencing Young’s abysmal start to the 2024 season that featured three interceptions and zero touchdown passes and an offense that has scored 13 points through two lopsided losses. Others said it came too early — or that the blame was being cast on the wrong entity, and that the organization has failed Young since his NFL arrival.

Here’s a glimpse of what the country is saying about the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is tackled as he scrambles out the pocket by New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor during the second half at Caesars Superdome.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is tackled as he scrambles out the pocket by New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor during the second half at Caesars Superdome.

Mel Kiper, ESPN’s NFL draft insider, is furious

Mel Kiper Jr. has some thoughts on the matter. He shared them with Mike Greenberg on ESPN on Tuesday, pulling no punches on how Young has been failed by the organization at every turn since the team drafted him last year.

“Mishandled is the word,” Kiper began. He went on to say that the lack of talent around him in Year 1, the coaching change in Year 2 and his lack of reps this past preseason has led to this point. “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.”

Stephen A. Smith compares Young to JaMarcus Russell

Not everyone is a Young defender. Stephen A. Smith, when asked about Young and if he is considered the NFL’s biggest bust on the ESPN show First Take, compared Young to failed Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

“It’s been an unmitigated disaster,” Smith said. He added: “Last in yards per attempt. Last in touchdown percentage. Last in passer rating. This is what we’re talking about. And he’s completed just 38% of his passes in his career with one touchdown and five interceptions when under pressure.

“Ladies and gentlemen, JaMarcus Russell wasn’t even that bad. And you know how I felt about JaMarcus Russell. This is maybe the biggest bust in NFL history.”

Smith went on to say that it’s not just on Young — that there are several other organizational failures and factors that make his situation difficult. He ultimately added, though, that if Young doesn’t get a chance in another situation, the answer to the question “Is he the biggest bust in NFL history?” could be yes.

Robert Griffin III has some thoughts, too

Robert Griffin III, a former first-round pick as a quarterback, weighed in on the Young benching news, too, taking a shot at the Carolina organization along the way. He attached a photo of Sam Darnold (now with the Vikings) and Baker Mayfield (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — both of whom struggled in Carolina — and accompanied the photo with the caption: “When you speak on Bryce Young, just remember this … Both are THRIVING.”

Michael Vick thinks it could be a good thing for Bryce Young to sit

“I’m not writing Bryce Young off,” the former quarterback who knows a thing or two about dominating the NFC South told Kay Adams on Wednesday morning.

Here’s his whole take:

Current NFL star Micah Parsons doesn’t think Bryce Young is ‘getting a fair shake’

Even Dallas Cowboys superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons has an opinion on Young’s benching. What he said, in part: “You’re the No. 1 pick for a reason.”

Others weighing in on Bryce Young-Andy Dalton situation