The NFL has not seen the last of Bryce Young as the Panthers' starting QB. In fact, his benching following Carolina's Week 2 loss to the Chargers should be viewed as more of a break than anything, sources say.
The past week was a tumultuous one for the Panthers, one that saw them bench the 2023 No. 1 overall pick after just 18 career starts. Andy Dalton starts today against the Raiders in Las Vegas, a veteran set to make his 164th start.
In explaining the decision, head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Monday, "This is something I felt like gives us our chance to take a step forward in our play style and to be able to compete this week against a really good Raiders team."
Part of the reasoning for Young's benching is that everyone must be held accountable in a developmentally minded organization. QB as much as anything else. And if Young wasn't progressing, then it was deemed Dalton was the answer right now.
But the belief is Young will be back, sources say, and when he is, this time off the field will benefit him.
While Canales did not detail when Young might play again or how long Dalton will start, sources say this is viewed as a timeout for Young, not a season-long benching. A time to take a deep breath, let it all slow down, de-stress, and learn by watching.
A player who most teams viewed as the top QB in the 2023 draft, Young has gone 2-16 as a starter in his career -- completing just 59 percent of his passes with more interceptions than touchdowns. The Panthers offense appeared stagnant, with a league-worst 245 passing yards through two games.
Young earned praise for his ability to process throughout the 2023 pre-draft process, among other skills that earned him the top QB moniker. But that hasn't played out on the field in the NFL.
According to those who have observed him closely, Young was holding the ball, unwilling to unload a pass downfield, and appeared to be second-guessing decisions. To those people who have studied him extensively, Young seemed overwhelmed.
Which is why stepping back and serving as their backup was determined to be the answer. The Panthers do still believe that Young can be the guy. They still think he can be the player they drafted him to be. But the road to established starter is not always straight. The NFL is filled with examples of players who took more than a minute to become true starters.
Jordan Love, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, who began the 2022 season as Carolina's starter before being cut, are among the examples in today's NFL.
When someone as talented as Young gets benched, teams always call regarding a potential trade. In fact, interest would be expected. But Canales said on Wednesday that there are no plans to deal him, saying, "That's not something we are really considering."
Inside the building, sources say Young handled the demotion well. He was, of course, disappointed and frustrated. But he went back to work, helping Dalton get ready and serving as the scout team QB. Young cut it loose with the scout team in a way they hope he will eventually do when he's back on the field.
"Bryce has been awesome," Dalton said. "It's a tough situation on everybody. I have a different perspective because I have felt it on both sides. It's tough, but you find the little things that you can focus on to get better and you continue to do what you can do."
