Jul 30, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws during training camp at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Things are messy in Carolina, and we’re barely halfway through September.
The Carolina Panthers are 0-2 after another blowout defeat, and they’ve made the call to bench Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton.
According to reports, this decision was made collaboratively by head coach Dave Canales, GM Dan Morgan and EVP Grant Tillis. One source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that this is Canales’ “first big boy decision.”
The Panthers drafted Young No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, Young had very few encouraging moments. Carolina only won two games, and their draft pick helped the Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in 2024.
But they’re already moving on from Young. At least for now.
At just five-foot-ten inches, there were major question marks about Young’s skillset translating to the NFL before the Panthers even selected him. To add insult to injury, the Panthers passed on Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Houston Texans and is already one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
This is the quickest we’ve seen a No. 1 overall quarterback benched in recent memory. While the Panthers are a dumpster fire, Young has given their brass little reason to believe.
Not to mention, Canales is no dummy. He just watched owner David Tepper give the boot to Frank Reich after one season. Before Reich, Matt Rhule was supposed to be the savior in Carolina, and he was canned after two seasons despite a massive seven-year contract worth over $70 million.
It’s hard to say that the clock is ticking on Canales, who is just two games into his head coaching career after turning around Baker Mayfield’s career during his time as offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he’s not wasting any time with Young, and that’s probably smart for the rookie head coach.
The Panthers have a reputation since Cam Newton dragged them to a Super Bowl appearance of being, well, not the most functional organization. Canales does not want to see his players throw in the towel just two weeks into a long NFL season.
When asked if he still has the respect of the locker room, Canales gave a weird response.
“That’s a loaded question right there.”
The Panthers did what they had to do to at least keep this season afloat a little bit longer. You can’t give up on guys three weeks into the season, but Young has been an unmitigated disaster since the day he walked in that facility. While he might have been set up to fail, this needed to happen.
For Dalton, he’ll be tasked with literally just keeping the car on the road. Joe Flacco took the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs last season. Sam Darnold has the Minnesota Vikings humming offensively. It’s been done before, and the Red Rifle has a chance to grow his legend in Carolina if he can win a few games… or at least look competent out there.
Since departing the Cincinnati Bengals, Dalton has started games for the Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He’ll travel to Las Vegas for a showdown with the Raiders in Week 3.