Will Bryce Young Ever Start Again After Carolina Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales Benches Him

In just two games in charge of the Carolina Panthers, rookie head coach Dave Canales temporarily pulled the plug on the Bryce Young era and will bench the 2023 #1 overall pick in favor of career journeyman Andy Dalton for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Panthers, frankly, look like a college team through two weeks, getting smoked by the New Orleans Saints 47-10 in their opening game before an incompetent showing in front of their home fans last Sunday in a 26-3 defeat to the Las Angeles Chargers.

Part of the reason for their putrid start comes from Young’s lack of success. The Alabama alum threw picks in both contests, has not thrown a touchdown pass, and boasts a terrible 44.4 QBR. After Sunday’s game, Canales told reporters he would stick with Young but decided to change course and explained his decision on Monday.

“Certainly a lot of parties involved there, and ultimately this comes on me. My No. 1 responsibility is to help the Panthers win, and so this move puts us in the best chance to do that.”

On Wednesday, Canales told reporters that the team is not considering trading away Young and that he still believes he can be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

What makes the decision to bench the quarterback after two weeks even more controversial comes from what the Panthers gave up to draft Young. Carolina sent five picks, including two first-rounders and WR DJ Moore, to the Chicago Bears for the rights to the #1 pick in the draft.

One selection later, the Houston Texans took QB CJ Stroud from Ohio State, who led his team back to the playoffs in his rookie season and won his first two games of the 2024 season. Some analysts speculate that Carolina compares itself to Stroud’s success, which mounts pressure on Young to be successful immediately.