Things are getting tense in Carolina, and we’re just in mid-September.
The Carolina Panthers are off to a rough start with a 0-2 record after another disappointing blowout loss. The team has made a bold move, benching their first overall draft pick, Bryce Young, in favor of veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.
This significant decision was reportedly made collectively by head coach Dave Canales, general manager Dan Morgan, and executive vice president Grant Tillis. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, this marks Canales’ “first big-time decision” in his new role.
The Panthers had high hopes when they selected Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, his rookie season offered few bright moments. With Carolina managing to win just two games, their poor performance allowed the Chicago Bears to snag Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Yet here we are, with Young already on the bench—for now at least.
Standing at just 5-foot-8, there were already substantial doubts about Young’s ability to make it in the NFL when the Panthers took a chance on him. To make matters worse, Carolina passed on Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Houston Texans and is already emerging as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
It’s unprecedented in recent memory to see a No. 1 overall quarterback benched so quickly. Although the Panthers are struggling, Young hasn’t shown enough to convince his bosses otherwise.
Canales knows the tightrope he’s walking. We’ve seen owner David Tepper not hesitate to cut ties with coaches quickly—Frank Reich was ousted after one season, and before him, Matt Rhule was shown the door despite having a massive seven-year contract worth over $70 million.
For Canales, time might not be immediately running out, but there’s no room for hesitation. After just two games in his head coaching stint, he’s already making strategic moves. The decision to bench Young might be the smartest one for the rookie coach.
The Panthers have been notorious for their inconsistency since Cam Newton took them to the Super Bowl. Canales knows the importance of keeping his players motivated, especially two weeks into a long NFL season.
When asked if he still holds the locker room’s respect, Canales gave a curious answer:
“That’s a trick question.”
The Panthers are doing what they must to salvage this season. You can’t completely give up on players just three weeks into the season, but Young’s tenure has been rocky from day one.
Now, for Dalton, the mission is to keep this team on the tracks. We saw Joe Flacco lead the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs last season; Sam Darnold has propelled the Minnesota Vikings’ offense forward. Dalton, often called the Red Rifle, has a golden opportunity to create his legacy in Carolina, even if it’s just by being competent on the field.
Dalton’s journey post-Cincinnati Bengals has seen him play for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. Now, he has a chance to make an impact with the Panthers as they head to Las Vegas to face the Raiders in Week 3.
