LeBron James has come out in support of struggling NFL quarterback Bryce Young after the Carolina Panthers benched the second-year player following a rough start to the season. The Panthers, winless through their first two games, made the decision to replace Young with veteran Andy Dalton, but the young quarterback is receiving encouragement from high-profile athletes like James and former NFL star Ryan Leaf.
Young, the former No. 1 overall pick out of Alabama, has faced mounting criticism after failing to throw a touchdown while tossing three interceptions in the first two games of the season. Despite the rocky start, the 22-year-old quarterback has not been without supporters.
LeBron James, who knows firsthand the pressures of being a No. 1 pick, took to social media on Tuesday night to offer words of encouragement.
“Bryce Young, hold ya head, Young!!” James wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Rooting for you and know this ain’t on you! Continue to put the work in, and it shall prevail!” James, who was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, understands the intense expectations that come with being a top pick, particularly in the early stages of a professional career. His message of resilience resonates as Young navigates the challenges of adjusting to the NFL.
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Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, who experienced similar struggles after being the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, also weighed in, but his focus was on the Carolina Panthers’ failures as an organization. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Leaf didn’t mince words, placing the blame squarely on the franchise for not providing Young with the necessary support to succeed.
“They screwed this thing up from the get-go,” Leaf said. “This organization is horrible. They’ve done nothing to help develop a player with so much expectation on him. So, I lay this completely at the feet of the organization.”
Leaf’s NFL career was famously tumultuous, as he failed to meet the lofty expectations placed on him after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers. He struggled both on and off the field, and his career ended after just three seasons. Leaf now sees parallels between his own experience and what Young is currently going through in Carolina.
Leaf empathized with the emotional toll that such a situation can take on a young player, saying that the lack of belief and support from within the organization can make football feel “toxic.”
“No one believes in him, and no one has his back,” Leaf told TMZ. “And I know what that feels like. You don’t want to go into the office. You don’t want to be around anybody. Football seems so toxic to you because you’ve always had success, and you’ve always been the guy everyone loved to lift up and follow.”
Young’s struggles are not entirely surprising given the Panthers’ broader issues. The team, which finished last season with a dismal 2-15 record, remains at the bottom of the NFC South and has failed to build a strong foundation around their young quarterback. In his rookie season, Young completed 315 of 527 pass attempts for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions—modest numbers that reflect both his potential and the challenges he faced playing behind an inconsistent offensive line with limited playmakers.
The Panthers’ decision to bench Young after just two games in his second season reflects their desperation to turn things around quickly, but it also raises questions about the long-term development of their franchise quarterback. Leaf, who lived through the crushing pressure of being labeled a “bust,” warns that benching Young could do more harm than good if not handled properly by the team.
As Young watches from the sidelines while Dalton takes over, the support from high-profile figures like James and Leaf offers a glimmer of hope. Both recognize the immense pressure Young is under, and their messages serve as a reminder that, with the right mindset and support system, he can still succeed.
For now, Young’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: he has the backing of some of the biggest names in sports, who know all too well the weight of carrying a franchise’s hopes on their shoulders.
As LeBron James pointed out, it’s not just about the struggles now but how Young responds to the adversity that will ultimately define his career.
