The Carolina Panthers decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young following Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at home. The Panthers will now start veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, at least for their Week 3 matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the decision came down to wanting to give the team the best opportunity to win this week.
“This was something that after I watched the film, I looked at it, had a thought, started talking to the guys that we make decisions with,” Canales said Monday, via Joe Person of The Athletic. “Certainly a lot of parties involved there. Ultimately this comes on me, and my No. 1 responsibility is to help the Panthers this win, and this move I believe puts us in the best chance to do that this week.”
Canales would not disclose what role Panthers owner David Tepper played in the decision. “I’m gonna keep that private,” Canales said. He re-affirmed the decision was his.
The Panthers hired Canales in large part because they believed he could change Young’s career trajectory following a disastrous rookie season in which he threw just 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Panthers went 2-15.
Canales was responsible for orchestrating remarkable career turnarounds from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
Canales worked as the Seahawks’ quarterbacks coach when Smith re-emerged as a starting quarterback following the Seahawks trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Smith had not served as a full-time starter since his first two NFL seasons in 2013 and 2014, but Canales helped him become one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks in 2022.
During the 2022 season, Smith led the league in completion percentage. He completed 69.8 percent of his passes for a career-high 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He brought the Seahawks back to the playoffs while winning the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Following his success with Smith, the Buccaneers hired Canales as their offensive coordinator, where he helped Mayfield revive his career. A former No. 1 overall pick like Young, Mayfield had been cast off by the Cleveland Browns and Panthers before turning to a backup role with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Buccaneers offered Mayfield a chance in 2023, and he delivered under Canales. Mayfield threw for a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while making his first career Pro Bowl in 2023. He led the Buccaneers to the playoffs, and was rewarded with a three-year, $100 million extension with Tampa Bay.
The Panthers felt confident that Canales would have the same effect on Young.
“I think Dave’s gonna be so good for Bryce,” Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said prior to the season, via Zak Keefer of The Athletic. “Bryce’s personality is very flat-lined. Dave’s gonna be optimistic with everything, positive with everything. Guys today need that type of leadership.”
Just two games into the season, and less than 24 hours after Canales said that “Bryce is our quarterback,” Canales’ original plans to help Young develop on the field have stalled as the second-year quarterback heads to the bench.
It’s hard to disagree with the choice, as Young has not shown any semblance of improvement through the first two games of the 2024 season. The Panthers have only scored 13 points over two games, and Young mustered just 84 yards and one interception on 18 completions in Sunday’s loss. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass this year.
With Tepper’s track record of holding short leases for his coaches, Canales does not have much wiggle room. If he does not win or show a better product from his team, he could very well become the next Panthers head coach packing up their office after less than one season.
Canales did not state whether Dalton will start beyond Week 3, but for now. the Panthers remain focused on preparing Dalton and getting their first win.
“Andy gives us our best chance moving forward,” Canales said, via ESPN.
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