The Carolina Panthers have benched 2023 No 1 overall pick Bryce Young after the second-year quarterback’s rough start to the season. Andy Dalton will take over as the starter for Carolina’s next game on Sunday at Las Vegas.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he made the decision after watching game film from Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He informed both players of the decision on Monday after consulting with general manager Dan Morgan and vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis.
“After watching the film and taking in all of the information I feel like Andy gives us the best chance to win,” Canales said. Canales wouldn’t say if Dalton will remain the starter beyond this week saying “right now the focus is on this week.” Canales also wouldn’t say exactly what led to the decision to bench Young. “I don’t want to get into the specifics as those are private conversations,” Canales said. Canales had worked with Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, helping lift their careers. He was hired in part to help turn around Young, who struggled last season as a rookie with nearly as many interceptions (10 ) as touchdown passes (11).
But Young’s struggles from last season have carried over to this year. Young has completed just 31 of 56 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions as the Panthers have started 0-2 this season and been outscored 73-13 by the New Orleans Saints and Chargers. Young has run for one touchdown, the only one of the season for Carolina. When asked if Young still has the support of the locker room, Canales said “that’s a loaded question. Right now our focus is to make sure that we fix the film from yesterday and get ready for the Raiders.”
Young is 2-16 as a starter overall since the Panthers traded up eight spots in the 2023 NFL draft to get him. The Panthers made a significant investment in that deal with Chicago, sending wide receiver DJ Moore and four draft picks to the Bears – one of which turned out to be the No 1 overall pick in this year’s draft after the Panthers finished a league-worst 2-15 last season. The Bears used that pick to take quarterback Caleb Williams.
Young becomes the first quarterback selected No 1 overall in the common draft era starting in 1967 to be benched for non-injury reasons in his second season. He hasn’t looked much like a No 1 overall pick since his arrival, continually looking flustered in the pocket and often making poor decisions and throwing into double coverage. His first throw this season was an interception against the Saints in the opener and things only seem to have gotten worse. Young was booed repeatedly by the home crowd on Sunday after the offense stalled time and time again.
The Impact of the Trade
The Panthers' decision to trade for Young has already been scrutinized heavily. The Panthers traded up eight spots in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Young, giving up four draft picks, including the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and wide receiver DJ Moore. This trade was a major gamble for the Panthers, and so far, it has not paid off.
The Panthers' decision to trade up for Young has come under fire as he is the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall since 1967 to be benched for non-injury reasons in his second season. The trade involved the Bears who used the No. 1 pick they received from Carolina to select Caleb Williams, who had a successful rookie season.
In addition to Williams, the Bears also used the other picks they received to draft other impactful players, such as offensive tackle Darnell Wright and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. With DJ Moore having a successful season with the Bears, the trade has become a stark reminder of how poorly things have gone for the Panthers.
Was This The Right Decision?
The Panthers' decision to bench Young is a bold one, and it remains to be seen if it will be the right one. Some experts believe that the team should have given Young more time to develop, while others believe that the team needs to make a change in order to turn things around.
Canales, the Panthers' head coach, justified the decision by stating that he felt Dalton gives the team the best chance to win. However, some believe that the move is a sign that the team is losing faith in Young.
Canales said that he felt like Dalton gave them the best chance to win.
What's Next for Bryce Young?
The future of Bryce Young with the Panthers is now in question. If the Panthers continue to struggle, it is possible that they could decide to move on from Young and start looking for a new franchise quarterback. However, the Panthers may also decide to give Young another chance, especially considering their investment in him.
Young has the talent to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, but he will need to show significant improvement if he wants to regain his starting job.
What's Next for the Panthers?
The Panthers are in a difficult position. They are a team that is in need of a major overhaul, and the benching of Young is just the latest example of that. The team needs to find a way to improve on both sides of the ball and to build a strong culture.
The Panthers' decision to bench Young is a sign that the team is not afraid to make tough decisions. However, it also shows that the team is in desperate need of a change. It is unclear how the Panthers will be able to turn things around, but it is clear that they have a lot of work to do.
The Future is Uncertain
The Carolina Panthers are at a crossroads. They need to figure out what their plan is for the future. Do they believe in Bryce Young, or do they need to find a new quarterback? The future of the Panthers is uncertain, but one thing is for sure: it will be interesting to watch.
The Aftermath
This move has ignited a firestorm of opinions and debates. Some pundits believe this move was the right one, as the Panthers needed to make a change to try to improve their win-loss record, while others believe this is a hasty move that will damage Young's confidence. Only time will tell how this decision will ultimately play out.
