The Carolina Panthers coldly dumped Bryce Young.
The King of the NBA wants the former No. 1 NFL Draft pick to know that he’s not alone.
GettyBryce Young failed in Carolina and the new question is who is to blame[/caption]
LeBron James took to social media on Tuesday to issue heartfelt words of advice to Young, who was demoted as the Panthers’ starting quarterback just two games into a new season.
Young was supposed to be a long-term franchise QB for the Panthers, who’ve struggled to find an answer at the most important position in sports since Cam Newton declined.
But new head coach Dave Canales benched Young after Week 2, immediately calling into question the NFL future for a 23-year-old QB who won the Heisman Trophy and NCAA national championship at Alabama under Nick Saban.
“Bryce Young hold ya head Young!!” James tweeted. “Rooting for you and know this ain’t on you! Continue to put the work in and it shall prevail!”
Fans loved seeing the support from the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“I sincerely hope he gets traded to a better team,” one fan tweeted. “Cause (none) of it is on him. They’re wasting him away.”
“Crazy how the players get the blame when the owner is actively ruining the franchise,” a second fan posted.
“Bryce Young was given 18 games,” a third fan wrote. “Daniel Jones will be starting his (62nd) NFL game this Sunday. Make it make sense.”
While many NFL fans took Young’s side, statistics showed a stunning comparison to a failed former No. 1 pick.
JaMarcus Russell was heavily hyped coming out of college at LSU, and was supposed to be a franchise-changer for the Oakland Raiders.
JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be the next big thing in the NFL but became a bustGetty
GettyRussell has comparable pro numbers to Young, who only lasted 18 games as a starter[/caption]
Instead, he was dragged down by off-the-field issues and only played three seasons.
Russell completed just 53.8 percent of his passes for 2,423 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 77.1 rating.
In comparison, Young has completed 59.3 percent of his attempts for 3,122 yards, 11 TDs, 13 picks and a 70.9 rating.
Anytime a No. 1 pick is being compared to Russell, it’s not a good thing, and questions immediately are asked about who’s to blame.
Longtime NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. shredded the Panthers for failing Young and mishandling the entire situation.
“To blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous,” Kiper said. “The blame here goes to the organization and the owner for mishandling this young quarterback.”
Fans applauded Kiper, who echoed The King of The NBA in saying this wasn’t all on Young.
“Well said, Mel,” a fan tweeted. “Bryce was dominant at all levels and then gets drafted by Carolina, who should be held accountable for the mishandling of their #1 pick. Bryce was set up to fail.”
Young is now set to sit and watch behind veteran Andy Dalton, who had a winning record with the Cincinnati Bengals, but is now a 36-year-old journeyman.
Canales has given no indication of how long Young could be benched, and it’s uncertain if he will play again for Carolina.
The Panthers are 0-2 and lost their intial two games by a combined 73-13.
Carolina travels to Las Vegas to play the Raiders — Russell’s old team — on Sunday.
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