Year 2 of Bryce Young‘s NFL career took an unwanted turn yesterday with the Panthers electing to bench him in favor of Andy Dalton. Last year’s No. 1 pick now faces an unknown timeline to return to the field. 
Young was caught off guard by head coach Dave Canales‘ decision to insert Dalton into the lineup, ESPN’s David Newton reports. The 23-year-old started all but one game (due to injury) during his rookie campaign, one in which he and Carolina’s offense struggled immensely. A step forward with Canales in the fold, along with new investments up front and at the skill positions, was expected for 2024.
Instead, Young’s showings during the first two games of the season – blowout losses to the Saints and Chargers – remained underwhelming. He has totaled 245 scoreless passing yards to date this season while throwing three interceptions. In spite of those figures, Newton’s colleague Jeremy Fowler notes there was “some surprise” in the Panthers’ organization based on how early the QB change was made. Dalton will aim to provide the team with more stability under center amidst questions on the decision to bench Young for an unspecified period.
“I owe it to all the guys — the coaches, the staff, the players, everybody involved — to be really critical about what we put on film, about what I’m seeing and to make sure I’m constantly making the best decision for the team every week,” Canales said when addressing the decision, via Joe Person of The Athletic (subscription required). It happens to be the quarterback position, so it’s loaded that way.
“But it’s every position. It’s all the guys. I was able to stand in front of the team and challenge all the guys that we all have to step up our passion for what we’re doing to play with the play style that we’re looking for.”
Canales endorsed Young as the Panthers’ starter in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s loss, but he consulted with other members of the coaching and front office staff upon watching the film from that contest. As Person notes, Canales did not specify how large of a role owner David Tepper (who has a reputation for meddling) played in the decision to bench Young, adding it was ultimately his call to make. Canales is in his first year as a head coach, and his hiring was based in large part on his success in working with Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. The development process for Young will include time on the sidelines moving forward.
Person adds Canales never discussed Young’s benching as a temporary move aimed at giving him a temporary reset. Dalton could be in place atop the depth chart for a notable stretch as a result. The 36-year-old made just one start last year when filling in for an injure Young, but he is a veteran of 170 games. Dalton is also a pending free agent, so a strong showing (relative to the potential in Carolina’s offense) could help his market value. A step forward on offense would no doubt be welcomed by all parties in the Panthers’ organization, even with Young’s future now even more of a question mark than it was following the 2023 campaign.
For now, at least, more competition at the quarterback spot will not be forthcoming. Canales said (via Newton) the team will not be making an addition under center, meaning Young will handle backup duties beginning in Week 3. When he next sees the field – and how the organization proceeds with him on a long-term scale – will be storylines worth following closely.
