The Carolina Panthers have made a significant decision ahead of their Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, opting to bench second-year quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young in favor of veteran journeyman Andy Dalton. According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Young is reportedly “pissed” about the demotion, which could effectively signal the end of his tenure as the starting quarterback in Carolina, at least for the foreseeable future.
Despite Young’s frustration, Fowler noted that the Panthers’ locker room remains fully behind first-year head coach Dave Canales and sees Dalton as the player best suited to lead the struggling offense moving forward. The decision to bench Young is a reflection of the team’s desperation to turn around a season that has quickly gone off course, and Dalton, with his extensive NFL experience, is viewed as a steadying presence who might help them salvage some wins.
The Panthers’ issues, however, run far deeper than just the quarterback position. The team has struggled across the board, from a shaky offensive line to a lack of playmakers at the skill positions. These problems have made it difficult for any quarterback, including Young, to find success. Even though Dalton may bring a veteran’s poise, it’s unclear how much of a difference he can truly make given the team’s roster deficiencies.
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That said, the Panthers’ passing game has been among the worst in the league, so the move to Dalton could potentially provide a slight boost in production, even if the overall impact on the win column remains minimal. With a 0-2 start and an offense that has looked stagnant at times, Carolina is clearly looking for any solution that could provide a spark, even if it’s only temporary.
For Young, this benching marks a significant setback in his young career. The former Heisman Trophy winner was selected with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with high expectations, but his performance has been hindered by an offensive line that has struggled to protect him and a lack of top-tier receiving talent. As a result, Young’s development has stalled, and the Panthers’ decision to bench him may be more of a reflection on the team’s failures than Young’s abilities as a quarterback.
While Young’s time as the Panthers’ starter may be on pause, his future in the NFL is far from over. Whether his next opportunity comes in Carolina or elsewhere, the young quarterback will need to continue working on his game, gaining experience, and improving in preparation for his next shot at leading an NFL team.
For now, though, the Panthers are banking on Dalton’s veteran experience to provide some stability as they try to salvage what has been a difficult start to the season.
But whether this move is enough to make a meaningful difference remains to be seen.
