LeBron James Defends Bryce Young After Benching: “This Ain’t on You!”

Bryce Young, the 2023 top NFL draft pick and a star from Alabama, has had a rough beginning to his second NFL season following a disappointing rookie year. He was recently replaced by veteran player Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. Despite this setback, Young has received public backing from basketball legend LeBron James.

LeBron James took to his X (previously known as Twitter) account on Tuesday evening to express his support for Young. James reassured Young that the difficulties he’s facing aren’t his fault.

“Bryce Young hold ya head Young!!,” James posted. “Rooting for you and know this ain’t on you! Continue to put the work in and it shall prevail!”

Bryce Young hold ya head Young !! Rooting for you and know this ain’t on you! Continue to put the work in and it shall prevail!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 18, 2024

The extent of Young’s responsibility for his poor performance is hotly debated, and James’s comments clearly place him in the midst of this controversy.

On one side, the Panthers’ management has been criticized for their handling of Young’s development. The team has not only assembled a subpar offensive line but also failed to provide capable receivers or running backs. Additionally, Young’s first head coach was dismissed mid-season during his rookie year, and off-field issues concerning owner David Tepper have added further distractions.

On the other hand, Young was expected to transcend these challenges given his talent, which has yet to be displayed convincingly. His shorter stature has become a more significant obstacle than anticipated, and he often seems unable to perform basic quarterback duties, regardless of the protection his line provides.

In the first two games of the season, Young completed just 55.4% of his passes, throwing for 245 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. His quarterback rating is a dismal 9.1, and he has been sacked six times. The Panthers lost these games by a total of 60 points, highlighting a collective failure.

James’s involvement in this debate is notable, given his own experiences being the first overall pick in 2003 by the Cavaliers, a team that struggled to build a competitive squad around him, prompting him to eventually seek success elsewhere.

At the very least, Young can take comfort in having the support of LeBron James, regardless of how his career progresses from here.

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