Panthers reportedly bench No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and start Andy Dalton in Week 3

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks at the video screen while standing on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The Chargers defeated the Panthers 26-3. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)

Two weeks of Bryce Young was enough for Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Panthers will bench Young, their 2023 No. 1 overall pick, and start veteran Andy Dalton beginning in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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

Coach Dave Canales has said repeatedly, “Bryce is our quarterback.” But with the season quickly coming to an end, Canales decided to make a change. photo.twitter.com/jTYawQCi2C

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2024

The Panthers fell to a 26-3 drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. In Week 1, they were savaged 47-10 by the resurgent New Orleans Saints. Young has struggled mightily in those two games, throwing one touchdown this season on a three-yard rush against the Saints but nothing through the air so far. He has thrown three interceptions, though, and is 31-of-56 passing for 245 yards.

Young started 16 games for the Panthers in his 2023 rookie year but failed to live up to his draft position, winning just two games and often looking overwhelmed and outmatched.

Who made the decision appears to have been a joint one between Canales, Morgan and Executive Vice President Brandt Tillis.

The decision to bench former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young was reportedly made by HC Dave Canales, GM Dan Morgan and EVP Brandt Tillis. As one source put it, “Dave Canales’ first big boy decision.” https://t.co/GO9i14Z7jC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2024

As for Dalton, he’s a backup specialist now. Not only did he start for Young in Week 3 last year, he’s also filled in for a benched or injured QB1 multiple times since becoming a trade. He played multiple games for an injured Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. He filled in for James Winston when he was with the Saints in 2022, then won the starting job for the rest of the season.

At 36, Dalton is no longer a hottie, but he is a solid mid-to-low-range starter who, when he can be relied upon, is very reliable. He is a veteran who can at least get things moving in the right direction. Right now, the Panthers need that more than a struggling Young.