Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales affirmed his belief in quarterback Bryce Young’s potential as a franchise player and dispelled any speculation regarding a trade of the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. Following Young’s benching earlier in the week, Canales stated that the team values their current quarterback situation and is fully committed to supporting Young’s development. Despite being benched, Young remains with the team and will serve as the backup quarterback for the first time in his career. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will be starting in Sunday’s Week 3 game against Las Vegas, bringing his experience to the forefront.
Dalton, a 36-year-old journeyman quarterback, appeared upbeat during practice and assumed all first-team reps while Young participated in the scout team activities. Canales praised Young for his professionalism in approaching practice and expressed confidence in his dedication to improvement. The decision to bench Young was made in an effort to ignite the Panthers’ struggling offense, which has had difficulties scoring in the first two games of the season.
The team as a whole, including running back Miles Sanders and wide receiver Adam Thielen, has shown support for Young during this challenging time. Sanders empathized with Young’s situation, urging him to persevere and continue working towards his goals. Thielen emphasized the team’s confidence in Young’s abilities and viewed the change as a strategic decision to enhance their chances of success. Dalton, having experienced similar situations in his career, stressed the importance of resilience and focusing on areas of improvement.
Canales acknowledged the need for a more aggressive offensive approach and highlighted Dalton’s experience as a valuable asset against the upcoming opponents, the Raiders. Despite the change at the quarterback position, Canales expressed optimism about Dalton’s performance in practice and his ability to lead the team effectively. As the Panthers seek to revitalize their offense and secure their first win of the season, the team remains united in their support for both Young and Dalton.