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NFL Rumors: Panthers’ Bryce Young ‘very shocked’ by being benched for Andy Dalton | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors
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NFL Rumors: Panthers’ Bryce Young ‘very shocked’ by being benched for Andy Dalton | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 19: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers on November 19, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers surprised the NFL world on Monday when they decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it was head coach Dave Canales, general manager Dan Morgan and executive vice president Brandt Tillis who made the decision.

Schefter quoted a source as saying it was “Dave Canales’ first major decision,” while NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported it was quite a surprise to the quarterback himself:

Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report

Sources: #Panthers QB Bryce Young and those close to him were “very shocked” by the organization’s decision to bench him this morning. “It came out of nowhere,” a source said.
It’s safe to say that no one expected the plug to be pulled after just two games with a new coaching staff. photo.twitter.com/OAuu0P4Oc8

This is Canales’ first season as an NFL head coach. Carolina hired him after he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs as offensive coordinator.

As for Young, it’s pretty surprising to see the 2023 No. 1 overall pick get benched so early in his career, even though he’s struggled thus far. Those struggles have only been compounded by the reality that Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was selected No. 2 overall in the same draft and has worked his way up to being one of the best signal-callers in the league.

Young finished the 2023 season completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 16 games, along with 253 rushing yards.

With Young struggling, the Panthers fired head coach Frank Reich on November 27 after 11 games, replacing him temporarily with special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.

However, the Panthers continued to struggle after the coaching change, finishing the 2023 season with a 2-15 record.

Carolina hired Canales as its new head coach for the 2024 season, with the Panthers hoping the move would benefit the development of Young and the rest of the roster.

Still, Young will now be benched in favor of Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowler who is also in the twilight of his career. He turns 37 in October and is 33-52-1 as a starter since the 2016 season.

Last season, he played one game for the Panthers, completing 34 of 58 passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.