Everyone expected Bryce Young to struggle, but this was hard to predict.
The Carolina Panthers moved up from the ninth pick in last year's draft to the top pick to select Bryce Young.
So far it's been a nightmare.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban watches quarterback Bryce Young (9) make a pass during warmups before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. (Petre Thomas/USA Today Sports)
Young was 2-16 as a starter and the Panthers' poor 2023 season meant they were unable to acquire the top pick, sending their 2024 first-round draft pick to Chicago as part of a blockbuster trade to ultimately select Young.
But there's a lack of talent around Young, and Young's college coach, Nick Saban, said that's a big factor in Young's struggles.
“Quarterback is a really tough position to play if the guys around you aren't playing well,” Saban said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday. “One of the bad things about being the first pick in the draft is you might go to a team that doesn't have all the pieces in place. … That wasn't the case with Carolina. They have to build a team from the ground up.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium. (Jim Dedmon/Imagine Images)
Acting Secret Service Director asks about Trump's possible attendance at Alabama-Georgia game
“It's unfortunate to see Bryce Young sit on the bench, but when you look at the skill players and offensive line that he's around, I don't think he has a good chance of success,” Saban added. “I think he's the type of player that can play really well if he has good players around him.”
One reason Young doesn't have many stars around him is because Carolina also included DJ Moore in a trade with Chicago for a top draft pick, which is currently shaping up to be one of the worst trades in NFL history.
Beyond 2022, the Panthers have traded top-tier players like Christian McCaffrey and Brian Barnes for picks.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young reacts during a press conference following the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 8, 2024 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Carolina will start this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders with veteran Andy Dalton, who threw for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 games last season but has just 245 yards and no touchdown passes in two games this year.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
