Young’s journey in the NFL has been nothing short of tumultuous since he was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. The hope was high for him to become the “franchise quarterback” for the team, but things have not gone according to plan. In his rookie season, Young led the Panthers to a disappointing 2-14 record, prompting the team to make changes. However, the situation only seemed to worsen for Young as he found himself benched after a string of poor performances.
The boo birds were out in full force during the Panthers’ home opener against Jim Harbaugh’s team, as fans expressed their frustration with the winless team. Young’s struggles were on full display as his longest completion of the game only went for 12 yards, and he finished with a career-low 84 passing yards. The very next day, the shocking news came that Young had lost his starting job to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. The sudden change left many wondering what had transpired behind closed doors.
Panthers coach Canales cited video evidence as the reason for the switch, claiming that Dalton gives the team the best chance to win. However, questions lingered about the true motives behind the decision. Was it solely the coach’s call, or did team owner David Tepper play a role in the move? Tepper, who has been at the helm of the Panthers since 2018, has seen the team struggle to find success on the field with a 31-70 record and zero winning seasons during his tenure.
While Canales had been tasked with developing Young into a franchise quarterback, the sudden benching has thrown a wrench into those plans. The expectations for highly drafted quarterbacks in today’s NFL are sky-high, and the pressure to perform is immense. Young’s struggles on the field have raised doubts about his long-term future with the Panthers, leading to speculation about a possible trade to a team where he may thrive in a different environment.
The Panthers’ defensive woes have only added to the team’s struggles, as they rank near the bottom of the league in total yards allowed and against the run. The decision to move on from Young may signal a need for a fresh start and a better supporting cast for the young quarterback. It’s a stark contrast to former Panthers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who have found success with their new teams early in the season.
In the end, Young’s tenure with the Panthers has been a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows. While the future remains uncertain for the young quarterback, a change of scenery may be just what he needs to reignite his career and reach his full potential in the NFL.
