Panthers' Hayden Hurst defends rookie Bryce Young, praises leadership through rough season

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The 2023 Carolina Panthers season is one the organization and fans alike will want to forget about quickly. At 1-10, they own the NFL's worst record and playoffs are an afterthought entering December. 

But there's certainly still something to play for if you're rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the 2023 NFL Draft's first overall selection by Carolina. 

The results have not been what Young and the Panthers have wanted in year one. Head coach Frank Reich, as well as assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, were all fired on Monday. 

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the Tennessee Titans game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Nov. 26, 2023. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA Today Sports)

Owner David Tepper wants new leadership in place and isn't wasting any time doing so because having someone like Young on board is paramount in terms of developing his talents at the NFL level.

When a season goes awry, no matter how accustomed to the league a player might be, the quarterback usually gets the brunt of finger pointing. Young has been graceful with his answers to media during practice sessions and after the losses, but one of his teammates doesn't think the blame should be solely focused on the young signal caller. 

"I don’t think you can sit here and just point fingers at one guy. I think, at different points, everybody offensively has contributed to losses. That doesn’t exclude myself," Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst told Fox News Digital over the phone when asked about Young. "I have played up to my standards that I set for