Bryce Young Benched by Panthers; Andy Dalton to Start Against Raiders

In a significant shift for the Carolina Panthers, head coach Dave Canales has decided to bench Bryce Young, the team’s 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, following a challenging start to the season.

Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will step in as the starter when the Panthers face the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.

This decision came after Canales reviewed the film from the Panthers’ recent 26-3 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers. He consulted with general manager Dan Morgan and vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis before informing both quarterbacks of the change on Monday.

“After assessing the film and gathering all the information, I believe Andy gives us the best chance to win,” Canales explained.

While Canales has not committed to Dalton remaining the starter beyond this week, he emphasized that the immediate focus is fully on preparing for the upcoming game.

The head coach kept specifics surrounding Young’s benching private, stating, “I don’t want to delve into the specifics as those are private conversations.”

Canales, who previously coached notable quarterbacks like Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, had been brought on to nurture Young’s development following a rocky rookie season, wherein he recorded nearly as many interceptions (10) as touchdown passes (11).

Unfortunately for Young, his struggles have continued into this current season. He has completed just 31 of 56 attempts for a total of 244 yards, accompanied by three interceptions. The Panthers’ record now stands at 0-2 for the second consecutive year, with an alarming point differential of 73-13 against both the New Orleans Saints and the Chargers. Young has, however, managed to score a single touchdown through a rushing attempt, marking Carolina’s only score thus far.

When questioned about Young’s support within the locker room, Canales responded cautiously, noting, “That’s a loaded question. Our current focus is on correcting the issues seen in the film and getting ready for the Raiders.”

In his tenure as a starter, Young has recorded a daunting 2-16 record. The Panthers made a notable trade with the Chicago Bears, sending wide receiver D.J. Moore and four draft picks to secure the top draft selection, utilizing it to draft Young. The Bears subsequently chose quarterback Caleb Williams, who emerged as a hopeful franchise player.

Young’s early career has marked him as the first quarterback selected first overall since 1967 to be benched for reasons other than injury during his second season. He has often appeared overwhelmed in the pocket, making questionable decisions and frequently throwing into double coverage. In the season opener against the Saints, his very first pass was intercepted, setting a negative tone that has only seem to escalate since.

The frustration among fans was palpable, as Young faced repeated boos from the home crowd when the offense repeatedly faltered. The Panthers struggled significantly on third downs, converting just one out of twelve attempts, and were overwhelmingly outgained, 349-159.

After the game, when asked about his confidence level, Young expressed a grounded perspective. “I draw my confidence from the Lord. I’m very blessed and grateful for this challenge. Not an ideal start, but I believe God has a plan. I have faith in that,” he said, acknowledging the need for improvement in his decision-making. “You always want to make a play. You want to do something. Part of the position is being a game manager, and I recognize some shortcomings in that area from the film.”

Dalton, who holds a record of 83-78-2 as a starting quarterback since entering the league, takes on the role after spending part of training camp recovering from a quad injury. He expressed surprise at the decision but conveyed excitement about the opportunity. “When I joined the Panthers, I wasn’t sure if I’d have another chance. So, I’m genuinely looking forward to this,” Dalton shared.

Meanwhile, tight end Tommy Tremble voiced his belief in Young’s potential, asserting that the team shares some responsibility. “We haven’t done our best as teammates to help him demonstrate his abilities. I know he has flashes of brilliance, and I regret that we haven’t been able to showcase that on Sundays,” Tremble stated, highlighting the collective challenges the team has faced.