The Carolina Panthers are officially moving on, at least temporarily, from Bryce Young, their 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick. After starting 18 games with a 2-16 record, Young has struggled to adjust to the NFL, leading to a quick change. The Panthers are turning to veteran Andy Dalton in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders in an attempt to right the ship and salvage their season.
Bryce Young, who was seen as the future of the franchise after being selected first overall out of Alabama last year, has failed to meet expectations. Through those 18 games, Young has thrown just 11 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions, all while enduring three head coaches — one of whom was fired midseason. It's a messy situation for the Panthers, an organization that has seen little stability during Young's brief tenure.
New head coach Dave Canales has been vocal about Young being the starter, but with the season already slipping away, he has made the decision to bench the young signal-caller. While the official line has been about making the best decision for the team, it’s clear that Canales wants to explore another option, especially with veteran Andy Dalton waiting in the wings.
The Panthers' Offensive Woes
In Week 2, Young was pressured on just four of 29 dropbacks, the lowest rate of any starting QB in the league, according to CBS Sports' Jacob Gibbs . However, even with a clean pocket, Young failed to make an impact, throwing for just 84 yards on 26 pass attempts in the Panthers' 26-3 loss to the Chargers.
Despite boasting the NFL's fifth-best pass-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus, the Panthers have been unable to get the offense moving. Young has been unable to capitalize on the solid protection, which stands in stark contrast to the offensive line's struggles last season, where they ranked 27th in pass-blocking.
His struggles on deep passes (10+ air yards) are particularly concerning, as he has completed just 6 of 20 such passes for 123 yards and three picks.
Panthers Gave Up Massive Haul for Young
The Panthers' decision to trade for the No. 1 overall pick and select Young now looks like a gamble that will not pay off. Carolina sent wide receiver DJ Moore, their 2023 first-round pick (OT Darnell Wright), a 2023 second-round pick (CB Tyrique Stevenson), a 2024 first-round pick (QB Caleb Williams) and a 2025 second-round pick to Chicago. In return, the Panthers hoped they had found their franchise quarterback — but 18 games later, that dream is quickly fading.
Andy Dalton to Start: What to Expect
As the Panthers shift their focus to veteran Andy Dalton, there’s reason to believe the offense could see an immediate boost. In his lone start last season, Dalton threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns, giving hope that he can inject some life into this sputtering offense.
The Panthers travel to face the Raiders in Week 3, and with Dalton under center, the team has a much better chance of covering the spread (+5.5), which, in my opinion, could tighten up to +4 or +4.5 as public confidence in Dalton grows. Dalton’s experience could also benefit the Panthers’ skill players, with wide receivers Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Mingo, and Xavier Legette likely seeing more downfield opportunities.
Expect the Panthers’ ground game to also improve, with running backs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders potentially becoming bigger factors with Dalton managing the offense. Thielen, in particular, is a player to watch, as his ability to get open in the intermediate passing game could be crucial to keeping drives alive.
Is This the End for Bryce Young in Carolina?
While Bryce Young's career is far from over, it’s clear that he faces an uphill battle to regain his starting job. Head coach Dave Canales, in his first year, is understandably cautious about getting tied to a young quarterback who has struggled to deliver. Canales' decision to start Dalton may be an indication that the leash on Young is shorter than initially thought.
In the coming weeks, Dalton will have an opportunity to solidify his hold on the starting role. If Dalton is able to stabilize the offense and win games, it may be a long time before we see Bryce Young back under center for the Panthers.
For now, this benching can be a learning experience for Young. However, with the writing already on the wall, it’s uncertain whether he'll be able to fulfill the expectations that come with being the first pick in the NFL Draft.
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