Panthers coach Dave Canales addresses decision to bench Bryce Young, David Tepper’s role
The Carolina Panthers revealed a surprising quarterback change on Monday following an 0-2 start to the season. Benching former 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton ahead of their Week 3 matchup on the road versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Young being pulled from the starting lineup is a decision that came down from first-year Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales. Who pulled back the curtain on his rationale on Monday during his press conference.
“This is the best decision for our group moving forward,” Canales said according to NFL insider Josina Anderson. “Andy Dalton gives us the best chance…I watched the film. Ultimately this falls on me. I feel this is the best decision to help the Panthers win.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner started in 16 games last season for the Panthers, leading the team to a disappointing 2-14 record with 2,877 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. But a new coaching staff and pieces on the offense had some believing that Young could turn things around in his sophomore season in the NFL. Which has not been the case through two weeks of the season, where Young has completed 55.4% passes for 245 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Benching a top draft selection is never easy, and a choice that Canales was asked about regarding if Panthers owner role David Tepper played a role in the decision.
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“I want to keep that private,” Canales said. “What I would like to say though is this is something after I watched the film, I looked at it, had a thought, started working on talking to the guys that we make decisions with. Certainly a lot of parties involved there, and ultimately, this comes on me. And my number one responsibility is to help the Panthers win and so this move, I believe, puts us in the best chance to do that this week.”
Young represents a large investment for the Panthers organization, trading wide receiver D.J. Moore along with four draft picks to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft that they selected him with. With one of those picks turning in 2024 No. 1 overall pick following an NFL worst 2-15 record last season.
But the team’s new head coach is now prioritizing wins and losses above everything, rolling with a 14-year veteran quarterback in Dalton who will be making his 170th career start this weekend versus Las Vegas.