Young, the promising young quarterback, will be taking a step back as the Carolina Panthers have decided to bench the former No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft. Bryce Young, who was acquired at a hefty price 18 months ago, will be replaced by veteran backup Andy Dalton in the starting lineup.
Head coach Canales informed both Young and Dalton of the depth chart switch on Monday morning, but refrained from publicly committing to Dalton as the long-term starter beyond Week 3. This decision comes after a string of disappointing performances by Young, who has struggled to live up to his high draft status for a variety of reasons.
In his 18 professional starts, Carolina has suffered 16 losses with Young at the helm. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner has completed less than 60% of his passes with a meager 70.9 passer rating. With only 12 touchdowns and 19 turnovers to his name, Young has frequently appeared out of sorts on the field, failing to showcase the processing ability and field vision that scouts once praised him for.
Despite his struggles, Young finds himself amidst a revolving door of coaches and play callers, and is surrounded by one of the least talented rosters in the NFL. In a dismal 26-3 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers, Young mustered a career-low 84 yards passing, prompting frustrated fans in Charlotte to leave the stadium early.
Reflecting on his performance, Young acknowledged the need for improved decision-making, stating, “You always want to make a play…Some bad instances of that on film today. I definitely take accountability for that.”
Following the loss to the Chargers, Canales initially indicated that Young’s starting job was not in jeopardy. However, the team ultimately decided to give the reins to Dalton, a seasoned veteran with three Pro Bowl appearances and over 38,000 passing yards in his 14-year career.
In Dalton’s lone start of the season against the Seattle Seahawks, he threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a closely contested 37-27 loss. With his experience and proven track record, the Panthers hope that Dalton can provide stability and leadership to an offense that has struggled under Young’s direction. The decision to bench Young is a bold move by the coaching staff, signaling a shift in direction for the struggling Panthers as they look to turn their season around.
