The Carolina Panthers' decision to bench Bryce Young after just two games in the 2024 NFL season has sent ripples through the football community. Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, has already found himself behind veteran quarterback Andy Dalton on the depth chart following an 0-2 start to the season.
Early Season Struggles
The Panthers' opening games were a tough initiation for Young, with the team struggling to find form. The Panthers managed to run the ball 38 times across the first two games, but it was their opponents' ground game that stood out. Teams playing against the Panthers combined for 81 rushing attempts, highlighting the Panthers' challenge in controlling the pace of play and establishing dominance on either side of the ball.
Young's Response
In a mature and reflective interview, Young expressed his surprise and disappointment but also showed a commendable sense of accountability. "Not something I was necessarily expecting. Obviously, not something that was great to hear, but I respect Coach [Dave] Canales, I respect the organization. They made the decision. ... Right now, that's the situation that it is. I have to do everything to help the team whatever way I can," Young stated.
He further opened up about his self-assessment and acceptance of responsibility, noting, “At the end of the day, we had a ton of drives, a ton of games that I didn't do enough during that. I look in the mirror and I take accountability for that. ... For the most part, every snap hit my hands and I didn't do enough with it at the end of the day.”
Young's resolve to focus on his role within the team was clear as he said, “Really, I'm a day-by-day type of person. Big picture stuff, that's out of my hands. That's in God's hands. Organizational stuff, that's with the people upstairs. I'm super grateful to be part of this team, this organization. I wanna help the team any way I can, and that's my focus.”
Support from Teammates and Beyond
Support for Young has been widespread. Several Panthers players have shown their backing for the young quarterback following their Week 2 loss to the Chargers. Additionally, NBA superstar LeBron James took to social media to offer words of encouragement, telling Young that the benching "ain't on you."
Coaching and Future Focus
Head Coach Dave Canales now faces the crucial task of steering the Panthers through a challenging period. With a critical set of upcoming games, the decisions made could define the trajectory of their season. The coaching staff will need to recalibrate their strategies both offensively and defensively to provide stability, reduce errors, and capitalize on their strengths.
The spotlight remains on how the Panthers will move forward, both in handling their quarterback situation and in achieving a better balance in their overall gameplay. The upcoming games represent a pivotal juncture not just for Bryce Young, but for the entire Panthers organization.