Poor Bryce Young. The Carolina Panthers draughted him No. 1 overall in 2023 to be their “franchise quarterback”—what a mistake. He was 2-14 as a rookie, and his new coach made it worse. Now benched.
Young and the winless Panthers were booed during and after Sunday's home opener against Jim Harbaugh's squad, when the quarterback's longest completion was 12 yards. He passed for 84 yards, a career low.
Canales confirmed the demotion and that veteran journeyman Andy Dalton will start Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders almost 24 hours later.
Young may benefit from this sudden shift if it gets him out of town. With an 18-game sample size, Tepper may have realised Young won't work long-term.
Both Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, former "temporary" Panthers quarterbacks, have opened the season 2-0. For the past several seasons, the Panthers have had some fine passers
Dan Morgan, promoted this year to GM/president of football operations, should salvage what the market may bear if the Panthers are persuaded that Young is not the future linchpin.
Why not seek draft capital? Young's 5-foot-10 frame was questioned throughout the selection due to its likely NFL abuse.
With a Heisman Trophy and SEC competition after starring at Alabama, many teams were optimistic about his NFL prospects.
If only the Panthers, who can try again by draughting a young quarterback next year, would trade Young. The offseason begins if it doesn't happen before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5. All parties might use a fresh start.