Dave Canales made his first major move as the new Panthers head coach by benching last year's first overall pick, Bryce Young, after the team fell to 0-2 to start the season.
BREAKING: Panthers are benching Bryce Young, per @TomPelissero
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 16, 2024
Andy Dalton will start next week. pic.twitter.com/KerRttVT7p
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is set to start week three after Young was benched. After scoring 13 points in two games, Canales looked at the film and decided he had enough and that Dalton gives the team the best chance to win.
Young has struggled throughout his first 18 starts in the league. Throwing for a total of 3,122 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions throughout those games. With a career passer rating of 70.9 and a career completion percentage of 59.3%, the Young era in Carolina has been underwhelming. Winning only two games throwing for a career-low 84 passing yards and his third interception of the season led to this change. Although it makes sense, seeing the former first-overall pick benched so soon is surprising.
The Panthers spent a lot to get the 5-10 quarterback from Alabama in 2023, giving up WR DJ Moore, a 2023 first-round pick (OT Darnell Wright), a 2023 second-round pick (CB Tyrique Stevenson), a 2024 first-round pick (QB Caleb Williams), and a 2025 second-round pick. After a porous 2-15 2023 season, the Panther brought in HC Dave Canales, who helped resurrect the careers of both Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. And, spent big again in the offseason to improve the offensive line, traded for former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, and drafted South Carolina standout Xavier Legette in the first round. Still, it has yet to help the 23-year-old quarterback.
The Panthers gave up a HAUL for Bryce Young ahead of the 2023 draft...
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 16, 2024
In less than two years he got benched before even starting 20 games 😳
(h/t @AdamSchefter) pic.twitter.com/IzbBgnfEs5
The path forward for Young and the Panthers will be interesting to see develop. With Young uncharacteristically missing throws, the backseat might be good for the QB as it will let him see what works and what doesn't. Still, Young reportedly was "very shocked" at the news of his benching, feeling "it came out of nowhere." Anyways, Young will take a backseat in this offense for at least the near future; we will have to wait and see if he will ever lead this Panthers team again or if his tenure in Carolina is over.
