The Carolina Panthers have perhaps looked like the worst team in all of football through two weeks, scoring just 13 total points in two blowout losses. And going into Week 3, the team made an incredibly hard decision regarding former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.
On Monday, reports emerged that the Panthers would be starting veteran quarterback Andy Dalton over Young in the team’s third game of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.
Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, per sources.
Andy Dalton is Carolina’s new QB1. pic.twitter.com/HClZWCEqOM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2024
Young hasn’t performed well at all thus far in his NFL career. Especially thus far this season, where he has failed to throw a touchdown yet on the year and has turned the ball over three times in two games.
With that in mind, the decision shouldn’t be all that surprising. However, immediately after Sunday’s loss, Panthers head coach Dave Canales made it clear that Young was their quarterback, only to flip to benching him less than 24 hours later.
“Bryce is our quarterback,” said Canales in his postgame press conference on Sunday. “We’re just gonna continue to sure up and fix the things we need to fundamentally from a scheme standpoint. All of those things. These are all valuable reps. These are all valuable games. We’ll learn a lot from this game and hopefully, we’ll take another step this week.”
Dave Canales is asked if he thought about putting Andy Dalton in and if Bryce Young will start next week.
“Bryce is our quarterback.” pic.twitter.com/wJM9M7YSvp— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) September 15, 2024
Young has started just 18 NFL games. So there is clearly an argument that he hasn’t gotten enough time, or help, needed to prove himself at the NFL level.
For Young, it has to hurt to hear Canales say publically that you are the team’s quarterback and then reverse course and bench you shortly after.
Maybe Young will get his starting job back at some point later this season. But regardless, fans seem to believe Canales is handling this situation entirely wrong.
Dave Canales = Fraud
— Jake VW (@wyckipedia_) September 16, 2024
They bring Dave canales in to fix Bryce young. Through 2 games, he already benched him. Lmfao.
In the last 4 years, I don’t think there’s been a worse organization in all of sports. https://t.co/tKWfonvoYJ
— Fat Mr. Met (@MakeNYMGreat22) September 16, 2024
Only reason Dave Canales was hired was to work with Bryce Young. Now that he’s benched what value does Canales have?
— Guapo Capo (@Emilio_Watts) September 16, 2024
So why would Dave Canales lie…..
— Lymon (@FrankCorleonee) September 16, 2024