Panthers Player: Bryce Young Made 'Same Mistakes Over and Over' Before Benching

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young reportedly made the "same mistakes over and over" before being benched for veteran Andy Dalton this week.

That's per an anonymous Panthers player to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, who also added that Young was "stunned" when told that he had been benched.

The Panthers have scored an NFL-low 13 points through two games. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, has completed just 55.4 percent of his passes for 245 yards and three interceptions (no touchdowns).

Panthers head coach Dave Canales answered "absolutely" when asked by reporters Thursday if he felt Young could still be a franchise quarterback. He also denied that the possibility of the Panthers trading Young at this time.

"That's not something we're really considering," he said, per ESPN's David Newton. "We have a great situation with our quarterbacks right now with guys that have experience.

"We love where we are at, and it's all hands on deck."

However, it appears that it could be over in Carolina for good, per Russini:

"Things are bad in Carolina right now. After just two games in a new offensive system with a new head coach, the Panthers made a bold decision and pulled the plug on 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

"It's over. No matter what Carolina says, rest assured: It's over.

"This isn't an experiment.

"This isn't a Ross and Rachel break.

"This is Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston over."

It's a bewildering result for a player for a Heisman Trophy winner who once starred at Alabama before becoming a highly touted college prospect. He and C.J. Stroud were in competition to be the No. 1 overall pick, and Carolina ultimately chose Young.

Eighteen games later, Young has been benched. He has a tremendous amount of talent, although his smaller stature has hindered him in the pros. Three head coaches in 18 games and a roster that went 2-15 last year probably didn't help matters either, although Young has notably regressed this year despite a full offseason and fresh start under new head coach Dave Canales.

So for now, Dalton is running the show, and the question of Young's NFL future looms large.