Panthers Bench Bryce Young After 0-2 Start to the Season
The Carolina Panthers have made a decisive move early in the 2024 NFL season by benching Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, after just two games. Young's short tenure as the starting quarterback has raised eyebrows across the league, as the Panthers have stumbled out of the gate with an 0-2 record.
The decision to demote Young to the second string, placing him behind veteran Andy Dalton on the depth chart, signifies a major shift in the Panthers' strategy. Head coach Dave Canales, navigating this turbulent period, appears to be prioritizing immediate results over long-term development. "Not something I was necessarily expecting. Obviously, not something that was great to hear, but I respect Coach [Dave] Canales, I respect the organization. They made the decision. ... Right now, that's the situation that it is. I have to do everything to help the team whatever way I can," Young admitted.
Struggles on Both Sides of the Ball
The Panthers' struggles have not been confined to the offense. In the first two games, the team ran the ball 38 times, but opponents have dominated the ground game with a combined 81 rushing attempts against Carolina. This imbalance has contributed to the Panthers' inability to control the clock and sustain drives, amplifying the pressure on their young quarterback. Young himself acknowledged his shortcomings, stating, "At the end of the day, we had a ton of drives, a ton of games that I didn't do enough during that. I look in the mirror and I take accountability for that. ... For the most part, every snap hit my hands, and I didn't do enough with it at the end of the day."
Support in Trying Times
Despite the benching, Young has received considerable support from both his teammates and high-profile figures such as LeBron James. The NBA superstar took to social media to offer words of encouragement, asserting that the benching "ain't on you." Within the Panthers' locker room, several players have rallied around Young, showing their solidarity following the Week 2 loss to the Chargers.
Young remains focused on contributing to the team in any capacity he can. "Really, I'm a day-by-day type of person. Big picture stuff, that's out of my hands. That's in God's hands. Organizational stuff, that's with the people upstairs. I'm super grateful to be part of this team, this organization. I wanna help the team any way I can, and that's my focus."
Future Outlook
The path forward for the Panthers is fraught with challenges, as the next few games will be critical for determining their season's trajectory. Coach Dave Canales must balance the immediate need for victories with the long-term vision for Bryce Young's development as a franchise quarterback. The decision to start Andy Dalton over Young is not just a tactical adjustment but a statement of the team's current priorities.
The Panthers' remaining schedule does not offer much respite, and how they navigate these upcoming tests will be key. Young's response to this professional adversity, combined with the team's overall performance, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The young quarterbackâs journey is far from over, and how he adapts to this early career challenge could define his future success.