The career of Bryce Young in the NFL has taken a devastating hit with the Carolina Panthers, as the team decided to bench him after a disastrous start to the season. The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft has now been relegated to a backup role behind Andy Dalton. It’s raised serious doubts about his future with the team and in the league. Is this the beginning of the end for Bryce Young with the Panthers?
A Nightmare Beginning for Bryce Young and the Panthers
Young’s arrival to the Panthers was seen as the salvation for a franchise that had been without a stable quarterback for years. The team went all-in, trading several draft picks and star wide receiver D.J. Moore to secure Young as their new offensive leader. However, the young quarterback’s performance has been far from impressive.
In just two games played in the 2024 season, Young’s stats have been disappointing. So far, he’s completed 31 of 56 passes with 244 passing yards and three interceptions.
In those two games, the Panthers have been crushed. They’ve lost by a combined score of 73-13 against the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Chargers. The only spark Young showed was a rushing touchdown, Carolina’s lone score so far this season. However, this was not enough to keep his starting position.
A History of Struggles
Young’s problems aren’t new. Since his debut in the 2023 season, his performances have been riddled with inconsistencies. In his rookie year, he completed just 59 percent of his passes, managing 11 touchdowns but also throwing 10 interceptions.
His 2-16 record as a starter reflects the grim reality of a franchise still searching for answers at the most crucial position. Additionally, the Panthers’ decision to mortgage their future by trading draft picks for Young now seems increasingly like a glaring mistake.
Even more alarming is the fact that Young became only the third quarterback in the last 20 seasons to average less than 4 yards per play over four consecutive starts. With three interceptions and no passing touchdowns in his two starts this season, the Panthers’ patience appears to have run out.
Is Andy Dalton the Solution?
With Young benched, the Panthers have turned to Andy Dalton, a 36-year-old veteran with extensive experience in the league. Dalton briefly took over in the 2023 season when Young was sidelined with an ankle injury. At the time, Dalton threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns, delivering a solid performance that many now see as the best option to bring stability to an underperforming offense.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales had this to say about the Young benching.
“We feel like Andy gives us our best chance to meet the challenge.”
His words suggest a loss of confidence in the young quarterback, who will now sit on the bench while the veteran Dalton tries to salvage Carolina’s season.
The Shadow of C.J. Stroud
The inevitable comparison has arrived; C.J. Stroud was selected right after Bryce Young by the Houston Texans, has had a much greater impact on his team than Young has with the Panthers.
In his rookie season, Stroud displayed solid performances, with numbers and achievements far surpassing Young’s. For many, this painful contrast highlights the Panthers’ mistake in seeing Young as their future leader. It’s now left them questioning whether they made the right choice in the draft.
The pressure on Young is immense. Panthers fans and media alike are already questioning whether the young quarterback has what it takes to succeed in the NFL or if Carolina will need to look elsewhere for a long-term solution.
Is There a Way Back?
Young’s future with the Panthers is more uncertain than ever. While it may be too soon to label his career a complete failure, the signs are not encouraging.
In a sport where patience is limited and expectations are high, Young is facing one of the most critical moments of his young career. His time on the bench, overshadowed by Andy Dalton, might offer a chance to reflect and improve. However, if he doesn’t show rapid and tangible progress, he could be remembered as another quarterback who fell short of expectations.
Can Young turn his fortunes around, or are we witnessing the beginning of the end of his time in Carolina? Only time will tell.
