CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dave Canales' decision to bench Bryce Young raises serious questions about the 2023 No.
1 overall pick's future with the Carolina Panthers. Canales made the move on Monday, less than 24 hours after saying in his postgame news conference that Young would remain the team's starter despite another dreadful performance in a 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers . Canales said he changed his mind after watching video Sunday night and consulting with the front office.
He concluded that veteran Andy Dalton would give the Panthers the best chance to win in Week 3 at Las Vegas. All indications are this is permanent move, not just a two- or three-week hiatus to allow Young to regroup. What's unclear is how much influence owner David Tepper had in the decision and whether he is ready to give up on Young just 17 months after passing on C.
J. Stroud, who went No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans.
But Canales is right. Dalton is the more polished quarterback, and probably does give Carolina a better chance to win. The 36-year-old Dalton is not the long-term answer.
But he can't be worse than Young. The Panthers have been outscored 73-13 and there was no real sign that things were going to change. The home crowd, which has grown increasingly frustrated after not seeing a playoff game since 2017, started booing Young and the offense in the first half and didn't stop.
Veteran wide receivers Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson both appeared frustrated on the sideline and th.