AFC North veteran claims Carolina Panthers did not follow Kobe Bryant’s wisdom in disastrous Bryce Young situation
Kobe Bryant and Bryce Young contributed to two different sports eras, but Bryant's knowledge lives on. Speaking on Wednesday's edition of "Get Up," NFL analyst Andrew Hawkins used Bryant's words to explain what went wrong with the Panthers and Young.
[04:15] "Kobe Bryant said, 'A lack of confidence is a lack of preparation.' That’s on the Carolina Panthers for not giving him the preparation he needs. But it's also on Bryce Young, as a player, to say, 'Listen, man, this is the league.' Sometimes you end up in incredible organizations with incredible receivers and incredible defenses, and other times, you're here.
"Your responsibility is to always put your best foot forward for the name on the back of the jersey.
Hawkins appeared to be referencing Young's light preseason game workload. The Panthers quarterback was held out of the first two preseason games.
He played in preseason Week 3, completing six of eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Bryce Young benching leaves Andy Dalton to U-turn 2024's worst-ranked NFL offense
The transfer from Young to Andy Dalton may give a refreshing look to the offense, but it doesn't instantly solve all of their problems. The Panthers come into Week 3 with the lowest-ranked offense in the NFL this season in terms of total yards per game. The Panthers average .5 yards per game, which is less than Caleb Williams' offense, which is the 32nd-ranked offense.
Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen's offense is the only NFL offense earning less than ten points per game at 6.5. They are averaging less than a touchdown and an extra point per game.
The team's rushing offense ranks 29th with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. When it comes to passing offense, however, Young has been more productive with the 31st passing attack than Caleb Williams, who is 32nd. At this point, the post-Week 2 benching serves as a reset for Young.
In a perfect scenario, Young can reset while watching Dalton win a few games. Then, when he hits a wall, Young will be back in the picture refreshed and ready to lead the team on a run.
Failing that, the remaining slate of games on tap looks daunting for most Panthers fans.
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Get Up" and H/T Sportskeeda.