“Not something I was necessarily expecting,” said Bryce Young while talking with Carolina Panthers’ beat reporter Sheena Quick, about getting benched after just two games into the 2024 season by the new coach Dave Canales. Things haven’t started well for Young and the Panthers. The team has already lost back-to-back games in Week 1 & 2 against the New Orleans Saints (47-10) and Los Angeles Chargers (26-3). Even though Young has underperformed and has been benched, the NFL Pro Bowler Chad Ochocinco Johnson has defended the QB.

In a recent episode of the Youtube Podcast ‘Nightcap’, Ochoa backed Bryce Young and slammed the Panthers instead. The former WR mentioned that the liability of the team’s recent bad run is not just on Young. He said, “Bryce Young is saying all the right things because he’s in a position where he has to, you went to a f–king dumpster fire. It’s the reason they were the team to pick and have the first pick in the godd–n draft. Find me, somebody, in the Old Testament or somebody in the New Testament that can come play for the godd–n Panthers and make a godd–n difference. Jesus himself could come down godd–n in the sandals he is wearing. Ain’t nothing changing.”

The team’s had a difficult start to the new season. According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, during their 101 offensive snaps so far this season, the Panthers have not led at any single point. On the contrary, they have trailed by 15 points or more on 81 of these snaps. Such stats aren’t uncommon for a team that’s currently 0-2 after the first two weeks of this season. But, the Panthers’ recent blowout is a point of concern for the team and its loyal supporters.

Looking at Bryce Young, his start to this season no doubt isn’t ideal. So far he has completed just 55.4 percent of his throws for 245 yards and has got zero touchdowns. The QB also has three interceptions in his last two appearances. However, now the team has decided to start veteran QB Andy Dalton instead. The 36-year-old will most probably start as the Panthers travel to Las Vegas to face the Los Vegas Raiders at the Allegiant Stadium on September 22.

However, just like Johnson, there is someone else who has come to support the young quarterback.

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield backs Panthers’ Bryce Young after 23-year-old QB gets benched

Following the Panthers’ decision to bench Bryce Young and start veteran QB Andy Dalton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has voiced his support towards the 23-year-old star. On Wednesday, Mayfield said that quarterback is a position where if a young guy like Bryce isn’t given the right pieces to work with or the right support from his team, he might not flourish up to people’s expectations.

In a recent interview, Mayfield said, “For Bryce, I can relate to this, finding that belief within yourself again. He’ll get it. His story is far, far from finished. Whatever they’re doing, I’m sure it’s for a good reason, whether it’s just to give Bryce time. Not in their building, not in their meetings, so can’t comment too much on it.”

The 2023 No.1 overall pick potentially has a lot of time left in his NFL career. Young is currently under his rookie contract with the Panthers until 2026. However, after getting benched, his future at Carolina is uncertain. Although head coach Canales has mentioned that currently, the team isn’t planning to part ways with Young.