In a surprising turn of events, the Carolina Panthers have decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young after just two games into the 2024 NFL season. Young, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, now finds himself behind veteran Andy Dalton on the depth chart. This decision comes after the Panthers' 0-2 start to the season.
Early Struggles
The Panthers' lackluster performance in the first two games has been attributed to both offensive and defensive issues. The team managed only 38 rushing attempts over these games, while their opponents amassed a staggering 81 rushing attempts. Young has taken accountability for the team's struggles, stating, "At the end of the day, we had a ton of drives, a ton of games that I didn’t do enough during that. I look in the mirror and I take accountability for that. For the most part, every snap hit my hands and I didn’t do enough with it at the end of the day."
Support and Encouragement
Despite this setback, Young has not been left without support. Several Panthers players rallied around their young quarterback after the Week 2 loss to the Chargers. Even NBA superstar LeBron James weighed in on social media, offering words of encouragement, stating that the benching "ain't on you."
Young's Response
Young has expressed his respect for the coaching staff and organization in light of the decision. "Not something I was necessarily expecting. Obviously, not something that was great to hear, but I respect Coach [Dave] Canales, I respect the organization. They made the decision. ... Right now, that’s the situation that it is. I have to do everything to help the team whatever way I can," he shared.
Remaining patient and focused on his role, Young added, "Really, I’m a day-by-day type of person. Big picture stuff, that’s out of my hands. That’s in God's hands. Organizational stuff, that’s with the people upstairs. I’m super grateful to be part of this team, this organization. I wanna help the team any way I can, and that’s my focus."
The Road Ahead
As Head Coach Dave Canales leads the team through this critical period, the Panthers look ahead to the next games which are now deemed crucial for their season's prospects. The decision to start Andy Dalton signals a willingness to shake things up in an attempt to reverse their fortunes.
The 2024 season is still young, and so is Bryce Young's career. With the support of his teammates and figures like LeBron James, paired with his own positive attitude, Young has the potential to rebound and make a significant impact in the coming weeks and beyond.