After just two weeks in the 2024 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers have benched their former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, and have put faith in veteran Andy Dalton to start on Sunday, September 22.
Sources: #Panthers QB Bryce Young and those close to him were “very shocked” at the organization’s decision to bench him this morning. “It came out of nowhere,” one source said.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 16, 2024
Safe to say no one anticipated the plug being pulled after just two games with a new coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/OAuu0P4Oc8
Young was benched after the Panthers Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, when he threw for 84 yards and an interception in the panthers 26-3 loss. Not only did Young throw his third interception of the season, but he was also sacked twice against the Chargers.
In the entire history of the NFL, Young is the first No. 1 overall pick to be benched for non-injury related reasons in his second season, shining the spotlight not only on Young’s talent, but the sacrifices the Panthers made to secure the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.
Since trading up to select Young No. 1 overall in 2023, the Panthers have a 2-16 record with Young as a starter, including being outscored 73-13 in 2024 with losses to the Saints and Chargers.
Dalton’s career as a starter on the other hand has been completely different than Young’s short tenure in the NFL. Dalton has thrown for 3,000+ yards in nine consdeutive seasons, including his rookie year in 2011. He has only thrown for more interceptions than touchdowns in one season with the Chicago Bears in the 2021-2022 season, and has thrown for 20+ touchdowns in six separate seasons.
Will Dalton’s veteran experience benefit Young, who can leard from the talented 14th year quarterback? Retired Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady would seem to agree, after expressing his opinion on the Stephen A. Smith show in August, 2024. Brady believes that rookie quarterbacks in recent years have not been given enough time to develop in the NFL.
.@TomBrady on the tragedy that is being forced on rookie QBs in today’s NFL pic.twitter.com/IReSLdYL1R
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 19, 2024
This statement rings true with Bryce Young, who has struggled in his first two season after being thrown into the Panthers offense in 2023. Dalton will be given the reigns this Sunday against the Raiders, and look to snap the Panthers five-game losing streak.
