NFL insider reports on Panthers' decision-makers behind sitting Bryce Young

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports who was behind the Carolina Panthers' call to bench Bryce Young.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 01: Carolina Panthers President of Football Operations Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales pose for a photo after speaking with the media as the Carolina Panthers introduce Canales as their new Head Coach at Bank of America Stadium on February 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. / (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers have decided to rip the bandaid off and try something different at quarterback. After just two games of more of the same from second-year quarterback Bryce Young, the team has decided to bench him and start long-time veteran Andy Dalton next week, instead.

According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, the decision to bench Young was not made unilaterally. His source says it was a combination of rookie head coach Dave canales, first-year general manager Dan Morgan and Executive Vice President Brandt Tillis. However, the source also seems to lay the deed at Canales' door.

The decision to bench former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is said to have come from HC Dave Canales, GM Dan Morgan and EVP Brandt Tillis. As one source said, “Dave Canales’ first big-boy decision.” https://t.co/GO9i14Z7jC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2024

You can argue that Young won't get any better on the sidelines, but something had to change. Through two starts Young had thrown for just 245 total passing yards, completed just 55% of his pass attempts, averaged 4.4 yards per attempt, threw zero touchdowns, three interceptions and compiled a QBR of 8.9.

Dalton may be well past his prime when he was starting for the Cincinnati Bengals, but he can definitely do better than that - as can just about every starter and at least half of the backup quarterbacks around the league.

As for what comes next for Young, the Panthers could decide to cut their losses and see what they coudl get for him in a trade. Or, they can wait and see how Dalton fares and then give Young another shot to start later in the season and see if he's learned anything in the interim.

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