The Carolina Panthers have reportedly benched former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Monday (September 16).
The reported decision comes hours after head coach Dave Canales told reporters "Bryce is our quarterback" when asked if a change would be made.
"Sources: The #Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and starting veteran Andy Dalton beginning this week. Coach Dave Canales has repeatedly said 'Bryce is our quarterback.' But with the season quickly slipping away, Canales decided to make a change," Pelissero wrote on his X account.
Young, 23, has thrown for 246 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions on 31 of 56 passing, while also recording 18 yards and one touchdown on five rushing attempts during the Panthers' two losses to open the 2024 NFL season. Carolina traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Young, a former Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, and finished his rookie season with the worst record in the NFL, which resulted in the Chicago Bears using their traded pick to select former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Dalton, 36, a three-time Pro Bowler, has an 83-78-2 career record, as well as 38,511 yards, 246 touchdowns and 144 interceptions in 163 career starts and 170 total appearances during his 14-year NFL career. The Panthers will face the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (September 22).