Carolina Panthers bench No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young in favor of veteran QB Andy Dalton

Drew Smith
September 16, 2024
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The Carolina Panthers are shaking things up early in the 2024 season and have officially announced that number one overall pick Bryce Young has been benched in favor of veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.

According to multiple reports, the Panthers have benched Bryce Young just two games into the 2024-25 season. Veteran QB Andy Dalton will now get the start in Week 3 against the Raiders in Las Vegas.

Bryce Young benched for Andy Dalton

Sources: The #Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and starting veteran Andy Dalton beginning this week.

Coach Dave Canales has repeatedly said “Bryce is our quarterback.” But with the season quickly slipping away, Canales decided to make a change. pic.twitter.com/jTYawQCi2C
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2024

The decision comes after a rough start for Young, who had a brutal outing in Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Chargers, going 18/26 for just 84 yards. To make matters worse, the former No. 1 pick set an unfortunate record during the game.

Through two games, Young has completed just 31 of 56 passes for 245 yards, with no touchdowns and 3 picks. It’s been a rough continuation of last season, where he struggled with 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across 16 games.

The Panthers were blown out in Week 1 by the Saints (47-10), and while head coach Dave Canales seemed to back Young after that loss, things clearly changed after Week 2. It’s possible this benching decision came from higher up—namely, Panthers owner David Tepper.

Remember, the Panthers traded the farm to draft Young at No. 1 overall, sending two first-round picks, two second-rounders, and star wideout DJ Moore to Chicago. Meanwhile, CJ Stroud, who was taken second by Houston, has looked like an MVP in the making.

There were even rumors last year that Frank Reich—who was fired midseason—wanted Stroud but was overruled. Now, the Panthers are left wondering if they bet on the wrong horse which is a noticeable trend for the franchise ever since they went on a quarterback search following years of Cam Newtown under center.

Carolina Panthers Quarterback Carousel

2019: Kyle Allen (5-7), Cam Newton (0-2), Will Grier (0-2)
2020: Teddy Bridgewater (4-11), PJ Walker (1-0)
2021: Sam Arnold (4-7), Cam Newton (0-5), PJ Walker (1-0)
2022: Sam Darnold (4-2), Baker Mayfield (1-5), PJ Walker (2-3)
2023: Bryce Young (2-14), Andy Dalton (0-1)
2024: Bryce Young (0-2)

Meanwhile, through two games this season, Sam Darnold looks like a free agent steal for the Minnesota Vikings. He has completed 72 percent of his passes for 238 passing yards per game, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Most importantly, the Vikings have started 2-0.

As for Baker Mayfield, he’s found success in Tampa as the Buccaneers starting quarterback. The Bucs beat the Eagles in the playoffs last season (pain) and are currently 2-0 this season.

Mayfield led the Buccaneers on a six-play, 70-yard drive, ending with an 11-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. The subsequent extra point secured a four-point lead, leading the Buccaneers to victory by the same margin.

So maybe…just maybe it’s a coaching problem in Carolina and not Bryce Young? Who knows, right? I do know that everyone down in Houston is thrilled that C.J. Stroud is their quarterback while Bryce Young still searches for NFL relevancy a year and two games into his career.