Panthers stick with Young vs. Giants, but QB's long-term future still unclear
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young will remain Carolina’s starting quarterback, even as his long-term future with the Panthers remains murky.
Panthers coach Dave Canales made the announcement following Wednesday’s practice that Young will make his third straight start on Sunday in Munich, Germany, against the New York Giants.
Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, led Carolina to a come-from-behind 23-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday — his first win since last December — to improve to 3-17 as an NFL starter.
Young will start over a healthy Andy Dalton, who took over from Young in Week 3 and started five games before suffering a sprained right thumb in a car accident.
“This is about progress from one week to the next,” Canales said. “I talk about finish all of the time. That's finish plays, drives, quarters, halves and games. He did a fantastic job of finishing that game.”
However, Canales would not commit to Young starting beyond this week.
When Canales went to Dalton as the starter after two games this season he said it was because the 37-year-old veteran gives the Panthers the best chance to win.
However, Canales wouldn't say Wednesday if Young gives the Panthers the best chance to win.
Canales has never publicly committed to Young's long-term future with the team either.
Neither has general manager Dan Morgan.
Morgan said the Panthers are seeing growth in Young and are excited about him to continue to develop under Canales, but stopped short of calling him the quarterback of the future.
“At the end of the day we’ll have those conversations once the season ends and we’ll see where we’re at,” Morgan said.
The Panthers recently dealt wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo — a second-round draft pick in 2023 — before the NFL trade deadline, but Morgan said that while he fielded trade calls on Young before Tuesday's league-imposed deadline he never considered moving the QB.
“We never got into any discussions,” Morgan said. “I never opened that door. I didn't want to trade Bryce and still don't. I am committed to working with him and helping him grow and helping him develop.”
The Panthers (2-7) are currently tied for the fewest wins in the league along with eight other teams and potentially could have a top-five pick in the 2025 draft, which brings with it the possibility of drafting one of the nation's top college quarterbacks.
When asked if the Panthers would consider using a high first-round pick next April on a quarterback, Morgan replied, “I will consider everything."
“I am going to have an open mind,” Morgan added. "I talk about it all of the time and talk about it with the guys in the building. We are going to draft really good football players. Whatever position that is I don't know, but we are going to draft really good football players who are going to help our team moving forward.”
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