The Carolina Panthers, still searching for their first win, have decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young, the top selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, and will replace him with veteran Andy Dalton, as announced on Monday.
After the Panthers’ 26-3 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, Carolina head coach Dave Canales had publicly supported Young as “our quarterback.” However, just a day later, that position shifted.
“This is the best decision for our group, our team, going forward,” Canales stated. “I owe it to everyone involved—coaches, staff, and players—to critically evaluate our performance and ensure the best decisions are made for the team each week. Right now, that involves the quarterback position, but it applies to every position.”
Young, who was the top pick last year following a standout college career at Alabama, has faced challenges adjusting to the professional level. In his first two games of the current season, he holds the lowest quarterback rating in the NFL at 44.1, having thrown three interceptions without any touchdowns as the Panthers lost both matches.
During the previous year, Young started all 16 games in a disappointing season that saw the Panthers finish with a 2-15 record.
Dalton, now set to lead the offense, will take the helm when the Panthers face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. The 37-year-old has a long history as a starter, notably with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he led the team to the playoffs four times and received Pro Bowl accolades three times.
Since departing Cincinnati before the 2020 season, Dalton has started in 30 games with four different teams over just over four seasons.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to get to start again,” Dalton expressed to the media on Monday. “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited about what’s ahead. It’s a tough situation, and I’ve experienced both sides of it. It’s challenging for everyone involved. But for me, I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”