In a surprising turn of events, the Carolina Panthers have benched Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, after just two games into the 2024 season. The decision comes on the heels of the Panthers starting the season with an 0-2 record, prompting head coach Dave Canales to make a bold move aimed at turning the team's fortunes around.
Early Struggles for Young
Coming off a challenging start to his professional career, Young's benching wasn't entirely unforeseen given the team’s performance. The Panthers have struggled both offensively and defensively, as evidenced by their 0-2 record and the 38 rushing attempts they managed in their first two games, compared to the 81 rushing attempts their opponents recorded.
Andy Dalton Takes Over
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has now been placed ahead of Bryce Young on the Panthers' depth chart. Dalton, known for his experience and steadiness, is expected to bring a different dynamic to the team. This shift underscores the urgency the Panthers feel as they prepare for what are widely viewed as must-win games ahead.
Reaction from Bryce Young
Addressing the media, Young expressed a professional and reflective attitude towards his benching. "Not something I was necessarily expecting. Obviously, not something that was great to hear, but I respect Coach [Dave] Canales, I respect the organization. They made the decision. ... Right now, that's the situation that it is. I have to do everything to help the team whatever way I can," he said, acknowledging the harsh reality of the NFL.
Young also took responsibility for the team's struggles: "At the end of the day, we had a ton of drives, a ton of games that I didn't do enough during that. I look in the mirror and I take accountability for that. ... For the most part, every snap hit my hands and I didn't do enough with it at the end of the day," he remarked, showcasing maturity beyond his years.
Support from the Community
Despite the benching, Young has not been short of support. Several Panthers players have rallied behind him following their Week 2 loss to the Chargers. Among the messages of encouragement, none stood out more than that from NBA superstar LeBron James, who reassured Young on social media by stating the benching "ain't on you."
Young acknowledged the support, sharing his gratitude and focus on the future. "Really, I'm a day-by-day type of person. Big picture stuff, that's out of my hands. That's in God's hands. Organizational stuff, that's with the people upstairs. I'm super grateful to be part of this team, this organization. I wanna help the team any way I can, and that's my focus," he explained, emphasizing his commitment to the team despite the challenging circumstances.
Leadership and the Path Forward
The Panthers' next games are considered crucial, not just for the team’s season but perhaps for Young’s career trajectory as well. Head coach Dave Canales, tasked with guiding the team through this turbulent period, faces the challenge of balancing immediate results with the long-term development of their young star quarterback.
As the Panthers look to navigate their way out of this early-season slump, the support structures around the team—from veteran leadership to community encouragement—will play pivotal roles. With Dalton at the helm for now, and Young prepared to contribute in any capacity, the Panthers hope this strategic shift pays dividends sooner rather than later.