In a stunning turn of events, the Carolina Panthers have decided to bench former No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton after a dismal Week 2 performance, as reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Young has faced criticism throughout his career, and after a disappointing first season in 2023, things only seem to be getting worse for him and the Panthers under new coach Dave Canales. The offense managed to score just 13 points in their first two games, prompting the drastic move to switch quarterbacks.
Sunday’s game was a disaster for Carolina, with Young putting up abysmal numbers despite facing minimal pressure. With only 84 passing yards on 26 attempts, the Panthers suffered yet another humiliating loss.
Former second-round pick Andy Dalton will now take over the starting role, beginning in Week 3 against the Raiders. The decision to bench Young has raised questions about the state of the Panthers offense and the direction of the team.
It’s clear that Young has struggled to make any progress this season, showing signs of regression rather than improvement. His performance on Sunday was riddled with mistakes, from failing to read blitzes to throwing interceptions and missing crucial throws.
The Panthers’ lack of competitiveness against the Chargers was a wake-up call for the coaching staff and front office. The decision to bench Young was a collaborative one, made by Canales, GM Dan Morgan, and EVP Brandt Tillis, according to ESPN.
As Carolina looks to turn things around, the focus will now be on Dalton to lead the team to success. It remains to be seen if this change at quarterback will spark a much-needed improvement for the struggling Panthers.