LeBron James left no grey space about his emotions on the Carolina Panthers‘ resolution to bench quarterback Bryce Younger two video games into the 2024 NFL season.
In a transfer that stunned many, first-year head coach Dave Canales opted to bench the 2023 No. 1 total decide in favor of veteran Andy Dalton following the crew’s 0-2 begin and 26-3 Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
James opted to take to social media to indicate his assist for the 23-year-old.
Younger, who started his NFL profession with a 2-16 document, has thrown 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over that span. Within the first two video games of the 2024 season, he is accomplished 55.4 % of his passes for 245 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. The choice to bench Younger got here as much more of a shock contemplating Canales publicly backed the younger signal-caller after the Week 2 loss, stating that “proper now, Bryce is our quarterback.”
Panthers’ brutal commerce turns into even worse
Whereas Younger’s struggles have remained a hot-button matter, his play has come beneath much more scrutiny when in comparison with the participant the Panthers chosen him over, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Carolina traded as much as choose Younger at No. 1 over Stroud as properly, sending large receiver DJ Moore, the No. 9 decide and a second-round choice within the 2023 NFL Draft, the No. 1 total decide in 2024 and a 2025 second-round choice to the Chicago Bears.
So as to add insult to harm for Carolina, Stroud led the Texans to a playoff win in his first season whereas posting a 10-7 document. Houston can be off to a 2-0 begin to the 2024 season. By his 17 profession regular-season video games, Stroud has thrown for 4,602 yards with 26 touchdowns and simply 5 interceptions. He is posted an total completion proportion of 64.6 and, in two video games this yr, has related on 69.1 % of his makes an attempt for 494 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Contemplating all they gave up for him through commerce, it might be a shock if the Panthers choose to throw within the towel on Younger. Whereas Dalton will present a veteran presence, Carolina’s struggles go far past the quarterback place, and on the floor, it appears seemingly that we have not seen the final of Younger this season.
