Panthers' Canales: Bryce Young 'Absolutely' Can Be a Franchise QB Despite Benching

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales still believes quarterback Bryce Young can be a franchise signal-caller despite his benching for veteran Andy Dalton after just two games.

Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, has not fared well in 2024. He's completed just 31-of-53 passes for 245 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns through two games. The ex-Alabama star has thrown for just 4.4 yards per attempt, and he ranks last in the league in quarterback rating and QBR, per Pro Football Reference.

Those struggles follow a disappointing rookie campaign in which Young threw for just 11 touchdowns in 16 games.

In fairness to Young, he hasn't exactly been set up for success. Carolina is a long-floundering franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2017. The Panthers have had six straight losing seasons and have been outscored 73-13 in 2024 thus far. Carolina went 2-15 last year, and Young didn't have the talent around for him to truly fulfill his potential.

He's also had three different head coaches (Frank Reich, Chris Tabor, Canales) over his 18 career games, and that instability can't help matters.

At the same time, Young has endured his share of struggles, and the quarterback who starred at Alabama simply hasn't shown those flashes in the pros. He was a superstar in Tuscaloosa, throwing for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns (12 interceptions) over his two seasons as a starter. Young also rushed for seven scores as well.

He's clearly taken a big step back in 2024, though, and that was worrisome enough for a benching. Josh Norris of Underdog provided a good breakdown of the situation (click to see the entire post).

So Andy Dalton takes the reins, but Young has received encouragement during this tough time.

For now, though, Dalton leads the Panthers into Week 3, which will see the team visit the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.