Stephen A. Smith in 2021.

Stephen A. Smith calls out the worst NFL team without hesitation

Stephen A. Smith reveals his pick for the NFL’s worst team, and he’s got no mercy.

Stephen A. Smith in 2021.

As the 2024 NFL season reaches its fifth week and the calendar shifts from September to October, only two teams remain undefeated: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings.

In contrast, seven teams have managed just one win so far, including some unexpected ones like the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Rams.

On Monday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back when asked to name the worst team in the NFL, picking the Carolina Panthers without a second thought.

“Here’s the deal,” Smith stated. “Right now, this is the worst franchise in football.”

The Carolina Panthers struggle in the 2024 NFL season

The Panthers have only secured a single win this season, a 36-22 triumph over the Las Vegas Raiders. In their losses, they’ve surpassed 10 points just once, and after benching Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton, they still haven’t seen much improvement.

Despite a harsh 36-10 defeat to the Chicago Bears in Week 5, Panthers coach Dave Canales has stuck with Dalton as the starter for now.

Andy Dalton and Bryce Young were seen conversing on the sidelines at Bank of America Stadium during the fourth quarter, showing the struggle for solutions within the team.

The Panthers rank 29th in points per game, dead last in points allowed, and 26th in total yards, highlighting their offensive struggles.

Against the Bears, Dalton completed just 18 of 28 passes for 136 yards, including an interception, leading Canales to put Young in during the game’s final minutes.

Even with these challenges, the Panthers are continuing to start the veteran instead of turning to their 2023 No. 1 draft pick.

Things are rough in Carolina, and Stephen A. Smith insists they’re currently the league’s worst team.

Image Credit: © Tori Lynn Schneider / USA TODAY NETWORK

Stephen A. Smith

Natasha Bose

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