CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger on Monday was benched in favor of Andy Dalton, lower than 24 hours after coach Dave Canales declared that the highest choose of the 2023 draft would stay his starter for Sunday’s sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders.
Younger, 23, turns into the primary quarterback chosen No. 1 within the widespread draft period (since 1967) to be benched for noninjury causes in his second season.
Canales mentioned he made the change after reviewing movie of Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, through which Younger posted a career-low 6.4 QBR.
Canales didn’t specify whether or not proprietor David Tepper had a say within the resolution however famous common supervisor Dan Morgan and govt vp Brandt Tilis had been a part of the dialogue.
Finally, although, “this was my resolution,” Canales mentioned.
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“Actually lots of events concerned there, and in the end this comes on me,” mentioned Canales, who was employed earlier this yr for his status for turning round quarterbacks similar to Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. “My No. 1 duty is to assist the Panthers win, and so this transfer places us in the most effective probability to try this.”
Younger has gone 2-16 because the starter since Carolina traded up eight spots with the Chicago Bears to draft him No. 1 final yr. He is 0-2 this season with the Panthers shedding to the Chargers and New Orleans Saints by a mixed 73-13.
Younger’s 8.9 QBR after two video games is by far the worst within the NFL amongst certified quarterbacks this season. Chicago’s Caleb Williams, who was chosen No. 1 within the 2024 draft with a choose acquired from Carolina within the Younger commerce, is subsequent closest at 23.9.
It’s not the worst two-game stretch since ESPN started compiling QBR, nonetheless. Matthew Stafford averaged 5.6 in 2009 with the Detroit Lions, and Dalton averaged 7.4 in 2017 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dalton, 34, cannot anticipate the chance to show himself, however he additionally empathized with Younger.
“After I got here right here, I wasn’t certain if I used to be going to get one other alternative to begin once more,” Dalton mentioned with a giant smile. “And so I am actually wanting ahead to it. I am enthusiastic about what’s forward.
“It is a robust scenario. I have been on each side of it, and it is laborious on everyone. However for me, I imply, I am wanting ahead to it.”
Younger was blindsided by the information, a league supply near the scenario instructed ESPN, notably after what seemed to be a vote of confidence from Canales on Sunday. Younger even had thanked Canales for sticking with him.
“I am very blessed,” Younger mentioned after Sunday’s sport. “I am grateful for this problem. Not a perfect begin, however God does every thing for a purpose. I place confidence in that.”
Dalton mentioned he “wasn’t anticipating” the information when Canales let him know of his resolution, however he added that he has “been praying for one more alternative.”
Dalton’s final begin got here within the third sport final season, when then-coach Frank Reich sat Younger, who had an ankle damage, for one sport after an 0-2 begin. Dalton accomplished 34 of 58 go makes an attempt for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
He does not anticipate to throw that a lot at Las Vegas.
“I do not assume we went into that [Seattle] sport saying that we had been going to throw it 58 occasions, both,” mentioned Dalton, a second-round choose by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011. “It is simply the character of it.”
Younger has thrown for less than 244 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns in two video games this season. The Panthers have transformed an NFL-worst 2 of twenty-two third-down alternatives beneath Younger in these video games, together with 1 of 12 towards the Chargers.
Canales would not say if the choice to bench Younger was a long-term or short-term scenario. He additionally would not predict whether or not Younger would bounce again from this to have profession.
The Panthers invested rather a lot in Younger. They traded two first-round picks (2023, 2024), 2018 first-round choose DJ Moore and a 2025 second-round choose to the Bears to maneuver from ninth to first in final yr’s draft.
Panthers tight finish Tommy Tremble nonetheless believes in Younger.
“We’ve not accomplished the most effective [as teammates] to assist him present his capability,” Tremble mentioned. “I’ve seen the flashes and what he does each day in apply. I feel simply collectively as a gaggle I really feel unhealthy that we could not present that on Sundays.”
The Panthers signed Dalton, who’s 83-78-2 as a starter, previous to the 2023 season due to his expertise as a starter and coming off the bench with the Cowboys, Bears and Saints.
“Andy offers us our greatest probability shifting ahead,” Canales mentioned.
Younger had a traditionally unhealthy day towards the Chargers. He handed for less than 84 yards to tie for the fourth fewest in group historical past for a quarterback with not less than 25 makes an attempt.
He grew to become the third participant prior to now 20 seasons to common 4 or fewer yards per dropback in 4 straight begins. He has three interceptions and no touchdowns in two begins this season.
After the sport, Canales, with out hesitation, mentioned Younger can be the starter heading into the sport towards the Raiders.
These plans modified rapidly after Canales reviewed movie and talked to others. He first shared his resolution to vary starters with Younger, then Dalton and the group.
Canales would not go into specifics in regards to the conversations.
“I watched the movie, I had a thought in thoughts, all of us talked and I needed to make the choice that was greatest for the group,” Canales mentioned. “I actually take it private. That is about constructing a tradition, that is about constructing a soccer group that performs to a sure fashion, and that is my major focus.
“And above all, it is to assist the Panthers to win. So that is what the choice was about.”
