Panthers bench 2023 No. 1 pick Young for Dalton

The 0-2 Carolina Panthers are benching 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, head coach Dave Canales announced Monday.

The decision comes a day after Young went 18-for-26 passing with only 84 yards and no touchdowns against one interception in a 26-3 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Canales insisted postgame that he wasn't planning on making a quarterback change. However, he changed his mind after re-watching the Chargers matchup.

"I watched the film, I had a thought in mind, we all talked, and I had to make the best decision for the team," Canales said Monday, according to David Newton of ESPN.

"It was my decision," the sideline boss added.

The Panthers' roster was notified of the move, which was considered somewhat of a surprise in the building, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Young didn't see it coming, a source told Newton.

Young, 23, completed just 13 of 30 attempts for 161 yards and two INTs in a 47-10 defeat to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1.

Young's disappointing start to the 2024 season follows a frustrating rookie campaign in which he completed just 59% of his passes for 11 TDs to 10 interceptions in 16 games (2-14 record). He also suffered 11 fumbles in 2023 and rarely flashed the potential that made him a Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama.

Canales didn't say if the decision to bench Young is a short- or long-term move, per Newton.

"We're focused on getting Andy ready to play the (Las Vegas) Raiders," he added.

Carolina made big offseason changes to improve its offensive supporting cast around Young in 2024, hiring QB guru Canales as head coach and adding multiple new weapons, including receivers Diontae Johnson and first-round rookie Xavier Legette. The Panthers also brought in first-year general manager Dan Morgan.

Benching Young ahead of Week 3 was a decision that came from Canales, Morgan, and team executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Panthers drafted Young after making a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick in 2023. As part of the deal, Carolina gave up star receiver DJ Moore and multiple draft picks, including a first-round selection that turned out to be the top overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft. Chicago used that pick to take quarterback Caleb Williams this year.

The Panthers' 2025 second-round selection belongs to the Bears, and it's the final piece of the Young trade, notes Schefter.

Carolina has lacked consistency at QB in the post-Cam Newton era. The Panthers - who currently rank dead last in points scored and allowed this year - haven't made the playoffs since the 2017 season.

Dalton, 36, is in his second year with the Panthers. The three-time Pro Bowler - who's been in the NFL since 2011 - owns an 83-78-2 record as a starter. He made one start in 2023 while replacing an injured Young.

"I'm really excited for this opportunity," Dalton said Monday, according to Newton. "When I came here, I wasn't sure if I was going to get another opportunity to start again, so I'm really looking forward to it. ... It's a tough situation, I've been on both sides of it."