The Carolina Panthers have made a surprising move by benching rookie quarterback Bryce Young, and it appears the former No. 1 overall pick was blindsided by the decision. Heading into Week 3, the Panthers announced that veteran Andy Dalton will take over the starting role, leaving Young and those close to him “very shocked,” according to a report by Jordan Schultz.
Young’s benching comes after a rough start to his NFL career. In the Panthers’ Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Young completed 18 of 26 passes for just 84 yards in a lopsided 26-3 defeat. Despite the low yardage, this performance was an improvement over his debut in Week 1, where he went 13 of 30 for 161 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in another blowout loss—this time to the Atlanta Falcons.
Young also set an unfortunate record in Week 2, though the specifics of the milestone were not flattering.
Interestingly, after the Week 1 loss, Panthers head coach Dave Canales, a former quarterbacks coach, was asked if he had considered benching Young.
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At that time, Canales emphasized the importance of giving Young more experience, which led many to believe the rookie’s starting job was safe for the foreseeable future. Canales had been brought in with hopes that his expertise could help Young rebound from a tough start to his rookie season, offering him more time to adjust under a new coaching staff.
However, after just two games, the Panthers have opted to make the switch to Dalton, leading to speculation about whether the decision was driven by the coaching staff or ownership. While some wondered if team ownership had pushed for the change, Canales downplayed those rumors, implying that the call to bench Young was ultimately his decision.
Given the hype surrounding Young when he entered the league as the top overall draft pick, it’s understandable why he expected more time to prove himself, especially under a coach known for developing quarterbacks.
But with the Panthers looking for a spark after a winless start, the team felt a veteran presence in Dalton might give them a better shot at turning things around.
For Young, this sudden benching is a setback, but it could also serve as a learning experience.
The future remains uncertain, but it’s clear that Young’s journey as the Panthers’ franchise quarterback is off to a rocky and unexpected start.
