July 30, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws on the Carolina Panthers practice fields during training camp. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports There is chaos in Carolina and September is only halfway through.
The Carolina Panthers are down 0-2 after another devastating loss and have decided to bench Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton.
The decision was reportedly made jointly by head coach Dave Canales, GM Dan Morgan and EVP Grant Tillis. A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that this was Canales’ “first big decision.”
The Panthers selected Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, Young had few encouraging moments. Carolina won just two games and their draft pick helped the Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024.
But they are already leaving Young behind. At least for the moment.
Because Young is only 5’10”, there were already major doubts about whether his skills would translate to the NFL before the Panthers selected him. To make matters worse, the Panthers passed up Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, who was drafted No. 2 by the Houston Texans and is already one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
We’ve never benched a top-tier quarterback this quickly in recent memory. While the Panthers are a disaster, Young has given the leadership little reason to believe in him.
Not to mention, Canales is no fool. He just watched owner David Tepper fire Frank Reich after just one season. Before Reich, Matt Rhule was supposed to be the savior in Carolina, and he was fired after two seasons, despite a massive seven-year contract worth over $70 million.
It’s hard to say the clock is ticking for Canales, who is only two games into his head coaching career after turning Baker Mayfield’s career around 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.
Since Cam Newton led them to a Super Bowl appearance, the Panthers have had a reputation for not being the most functional organization, and Canales doesn’t want his players to throw in the towel just two weeks into a long NFL season.
When asked if he still enjoyed respect in the dressing room, Canales gave a strange answer.
“That’s a trick question.”
The Panthers did what they had to do to keep the season going at least a little bit longer. You can’t give up on guys three weeks into the season, but Young was an absolute disaster from the day he stepped foot in that facility. Even though he was doomed, it had to happen.
Dalton’s job is to keep the car on the road, literally. Joe Flacco got the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs last season. Sam Darnold makes the Minnesota Vikings hum on offense. It’s happened before, and the Red Rifle has a chance to become a legend in Carolina if he wins a few games…or at least looks competent.
Since leaving the Cincinnati Bengals, Dalton has started games for the Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He travels to Las Vegas to face the Raiders in Week 3.
