Panthers quarterback Bryce Young doesn’t think fired head coach Frank Reich was the only reason for Carolina’s struggles this season.
“We all share in that,” Young said on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s David Newton. “We never want to see people get fired. We wanted to come in and conquer things together and accomplish our goals together. We all take responsibility in that.”
Following a Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Panthers dismissed Reich in his first season with the team. Reich – an offensive-minded coach and former quarterback who was expected to help Young’s transition to the NFL – went 1-10 in Carolina. The NFC South club also fired quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant coach Duce Staley.
Young’s rookie campaign has been a major disappointment, as the No. 1 overall pick has completed 61.8% of his passes for 1,877 yards and nine touchdowns against eight interceptions in 10 games. The Alabama product, who’s been sacked 40 times, has also lost four fumbles.
“We all take ownership, especially offensively,” Young said of the Panthers’ disappointing year. “It’s all of us. We all want to do better. It’s a collective unit. There’s no finger-pointing from players, coaches. Nothing. We all could have been better.”
The Panthers – who rank in the league’s bottom five in points scored and allowed – drafted Young in April after acquiring the top selection in a trade from the Chicago Bears. Chicago owns Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024, which would be the No. 1 choice in the draft if the season ended today.
Despite Young’s rookie struggles, Panthers owner David Tepper recently said the team remains “totally confident in that pick.”
