The Carolina Panthers are making a change at quarterback after starting the season 0-2, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
The NFC South team will bench Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft. The Panthers will turn to veteran journeyman Andy Dalton during a Week 3 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Young, who threw for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, has struggled mightily to start his sophomore campaign.
He went 13 of 30 for 161 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions during a 47-10 loss to the rival Saints to start the season. Young then went 8 of 14 for 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception during a 26-3 loss to the Chargers.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales faced questions about Young's future after the loss to the Chargers.
we'll take that
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/BwFTg1jKoS
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 15, 2024
"Bryce is our quarterback," Canales said after the loss to the Chargers. "We're gonna just continue to shore up and fix the things we need to fundamentally from a scheme standpoint.
"All those things — these are all valuable reps. These are all valuable games. We'll learn a lot from this game, and hopefully, we'll take another step this week."
Canales is in his first season as a head coach. He previously served as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator with the Seahawks, where he worked with Geno Smith and helped the former Jets quarterback win NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Canales spent last season as the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers. He worked with Baker Mayfield, who delivered a career-best season with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The Buccaneers made it to the playoffs, beat the Eagles in the Wild Card Round, and then fell to the Lions in the Divisional Round.
Canales will now lean on another quarterback with starts for multiple NFL teams. Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Bengals, will now try to get the Panthers back on track.
Dalton has thrown for 38,511 yards, 246 touchdowns, and 144 interceptions during his 14-year career. He has compiled a 170-163 win-loss record.