Pat McAfee believes that Bryce Young still has the opportunity to turn his career around despite being benched by the Carolina Panthers ahead of Week 3. Following a disappointing 2-16 start to his NFL journey, the Panthers have decided to start Andy Dalton instead of Young for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
With this decision, Young becomes the first quarterback selected first overall in the common draft era to be benched for reasons other than injury. The Panthers traded their first-round pick with the Chicago Bears to select Young, who has struggled this season, posting an abysmal Total QBR of 8.9, one of the lowest recorded since 2011.
In the first two weeks of the season, the Panthers have been outscored 73-13, with their sole touchdown coming from a scramble by Young that was initially ruled a fumble. Their performance has seen them post the worst offensive efficiency rating among all teams tracked since 2006, converting only two of 22 third-down attempts, the lowest in the league.
Despite the change, it appears Young still retains the locker room’s support, as players and coaching staff have expressed their belief in him. However, Young has been unable to execute the offensive scheme effectively, resulting in poor decisions and an inability to lead the team.
Historically, the Panthers have begun the 2024 season poorly, with their performance ranking as one of the worst since the late 1970s. Historically, teams have rebounded from bad starts, providing some hope for a revival, although it remains a tough path ahead.
Moving forward, Carolina’s strategy will be to hope for improved performance from Dalton while allowing Young to regroup. Although the move was somewhat unexpected given the team’s struggles, it was deemed necessary for the offense’s functionality.
Dalton, who possesses substantial NFL experience, is expected to bring a calm presence to an unsettled team. While he may not elevate the team significantly, his understanding of game management may aid in stabilizing the offense.
Looking ahead to the 2025 draft, if the Panthers opt to move on from Young, they may target another quarterback at the top tier, with options like Georgia’s Carson Beck and others potentially available. Alternatively, they might pursue playmakers to bolster their roster, which has been perceived as lacking in talent.
As for competing in the NFC South, prospects seem dim, as the Panthers are encountering difficulties beyond quarterback performance, struggling in key defensive and offensive metrics. With their star defensive player out for the season, the team’s chances of contention appear slim, and their odds of making the playoffs are significantly low.