Festering offensive frustrations lead to QB Bryce Young benching  

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Quarterback Bryce Young's poor performance after two games led Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales to demote him in favor of Andy Dalton for Sunday's game at the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Carolina Panthers had enough of Bryce Young Sunday.

Coach Dave Canales confirmed it on Monday by demoting the quarterback after another poor performance.

One play among many highlighted the depths Young, the 2023 overall top draft pick, has sunk. On a third-quarter pass play, Adam Thielen ran a slant route, made his cut 10 yards downfield and worked his way open.

Meanwhile, Young scrambled out of the pocket on the third-down play and failed to locate the secondary receiver running free. Young held the ball well past the 2.7 seconds the play was designed for and endured a sack by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa.  

A few steps from the Panthers’ sideline, Thielen raised both hands to his head and ripped off his helmet. Trailing the Chargers, 23-3 midway through the quarter, Thielen, who registered 103 receptions last season, had yet to be targeted.  

In an act of frustration, Thielen vented, exchanging words with Young, among others.  

Moments later, Thielen apologized.  

But others, like receiver Diontae Johnson, caused similar sideline commotions during the 26-3 loss. In two losses, Carolina has been outscored 73-13. In 2023, the Panthers generated an NFL-low 265.3 yards per game, going a league-worse 2-15.  

Through two outings, the Panthers’ offense again ranks last, averaging 176 yards per outing.   

Despite the festering frustrations, Canales initially doubled down on Young’s starting status during his post-game press conference. About 22 hours later, after suggesting “Bryce is our quarterback,” Canales went home Sunday night, studied game video, contacted his brain trust and came to a different conclusion.  

Canales announced Monday that Andy Dalton will take over as QB1 Sunday at the Las Vegas Raiders.  

“It’s my decision,” Canales said. “And ultimately, it just kind of lands on my shoulders to be able to make the best decision for our group to give us our chance, our best chance to win this week.”   

That means turning to Dalton, a 14-year veteran who joined Carolina last year to mentor Young. For his part, Dalton remained in the background and did not publicly criticize Young’s lack of production.   

“I’m really excited for this opportunity," Dalton said in an otherwise empty Panthers’ locker room Monday. “When I came here, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another opportunity to start again. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited about what's ahead. It's a tough situation. I've been on both sides of it and it's hard for everybody. But for me, I'm looking forward to it."

Dating back to the final two games last season and the opening two outings this season, the Panthers became the first NFL team to produce fewer than 150 passing yards and a touchdown in four consecutive games since the then-Oakland Raiders in 2009.  

Against the Chargers, Young completed 18-of-26 passes for a career-low 84 yards. He registered 3.2 passing yards per attempt, another career low. The Panthers’ first four offensive possessions ended in three-and-outs. The fifth ended on Young’s errant throw, resulting in his third interception in four-plus quarters.  

In two games, the Panthers have converted just 2-of-22 third-down situations.  

Known as a quarterback whisperer, Canales was recruited by first-year general manager Dan Morgan to refine Young’s skillset the way he did for resurgent Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith.  
That plan is now on hold.  

“A lot of factors that go into this decision,” Canales said. “(As) we focus on the weeks (ahead), we focus on the challenge at hand. And we feel like Andy gives us our best chance to meet the challenge.”  
In 14 NFL seasons, Dalton recorded an 83-78-2 career record, amassing 38,511 passing yards with 246 touchdowns and 144 interceptions.

“Well, this is one of those things I've been praying for, another opportunity,” Dalton said. “I've got it now."

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