Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that Andy Dalton would replace Bryce Young as the starting quarterback for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama and the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had started 16 games as a rookie and the first two games of the 2024 season.
One of those reacting to Canales’ decision was NBA star LeBron James, who showed his support for Young on social media. James encouraged Young to stay strong, emphasizing that the situation wasn’t entirely his fault and advising him to keep working hard.
The decision to bench Young came after two significant losses. The Panthers were defeated by the New Orleans Saints 47-10 on September 8 and the Los Angeles Chargers 26-3 on September 15. In these games, Young struggled, completing only 31 of 56 passes for 245 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. His passing efficiency rating of 44.1 is one of the lowest seen in the NFL in recent years. The only quarterback with a worse rating after two games in the past 14 seasons was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was benched by the Miami Dolphins in 2019 but later returned to finish the season.
Dalton expressed his surprise at Young’s benching, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. Having experienced similar situations during his career, Dalton recognized how challenging it could be for a young quarterback like Young. Despite the circumstances, Dalton is eager to step in as the starter, recalling how he played when Young was sidelined in 2023 due to an ankle injury. In that game, Dalton threw for a season-high 334 passing yards, although the Panthers ultimately lost.
Young’s rookie season was tumultuous, with Carolina finishing 2-15. The team underwent significant changes, including the firing of head coach Frank Reich. Now, under the leadership of Dave Canales, the Panthers hope for a turnaround.
Dalton spoke positively about Young, noting their close relationship and his belief that Young will bounce back from this adversity. He expressed confidence in Young’s character and work ethic, suggesting that these traits would help him overcome the challenges of being benched and continue to develop as a player.
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