‘Furious’ Stephen A. Smith calls Bryce Young the “biggest bust in NFL history” following Panthers’ decision to bench him

On a recent episode of ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith presented a strong argument about Bryce Young's current situation, suggesting it’s highly likely to unfold.

‘Furious’ Stephen A. Smith calls Bryce Young the “biggest bust in NFL history” following Panthers’ decision to bench him

Stephen A. Smith and Bryce Young (Via Imago/X)

The Carolina Panthers used their first overall draft pick on Bryce Young last offseason in 2023, but their expectations came crashing down after finishing the regular season at 2-15. Though many argued that the rookie was immensely pressurized which sabotaged his debut season, he continued to worsen with each game. 

The quarterback’s non-rewarding performances eventually compelled the Panthers to take the drastic step and bench him. While discussing the 23-year-old current situation in the recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith put forward an argument that has a high chance of happening. 

YouTube video

Highlighting his bizarre stats in the last two blown-out defeats by Carolina, where he barely logged 245 yards with three interceptions and zero touchdowns, while averaging an embarrassing 122.5 passing yards per game– Smith labeled Young as the “biggest bust in NFL history.” 

FS Video
When he was picked number one overall, I didn’t hear a lot of people ‘poo-pooing’ that, to be fair to him but it’s been an unmitigated disaster. I mean, this is maybe the biggest bust in NFL history. These are the kinds of things that are starting to be brought up. 
Stephen A. Smith said on Tuesday

Moreover, Smith called Young’s performance an ‘atrocity’ after highlighting how the Panthers have had the lead for just 10 seconds combined in the last ten games with him as the starting QB. He labeled the quarterback worse than JaMarcus Russell, who is promptly referred to as the biggest bust in the league’s history. 

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Bryce Young trade rumors swirl after being benched by Panthers

It’s been just one day since the Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales announced benching Young and there have already begun trade rumors connecting him with the Miami Dolphins– whose starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa recently went down due to his third confirmed concussion. 

Bryce Young
Bryce Young (Image via IMAGO)

ESPN’s Benjamin Solak instigated the trade talk, arguing that the young signal-caller would benefit from it under the offense of Mike McDaniel and starring many prominent offensive weapons from the league. 

I say this in all seriousness: the Dolphins should try and trade for Young. He can run that offense. Might be the only offense in the league he can run.
Benjamin Solak said
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The trade talk seems to be in the distant future for now as the team previously was a bit reluctant in benching Young for backup Andy Dalton despite the abysmal losses. However, in forseable turn of events, they claimed the team’s best interest is in Dalton as starting QB in week 3.