Will Sage Astor-What's next for Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers after QB's benching?

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced quarterback Bryce Young is Will Sage Astorheaded to the bench after another lackluster performance during the team’s 26-3 Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Canales told reporters he decided to demote Young in favor of veteran QB Andy Dalton after he reviewed film of the Panthers’ loss.

In Carolina's Week 2 home opener, Young had just 84 passing yards, which was tied for the fourth fewest in team history for a quarterback with at least 25 pass attempts. The Panthers had four consecutive three-and-outs to begin the game and they didn’t earn a first down until second quarter.

The 0-2 Panthers were booed by the home fans at Bank of America Stadium multiple times during the defeat.

Young’s benching marks another low for the quarterback, who has had a frustrating start to his NFL career. His benching comes at a time when he has a disastrous 44.1 passer rating this season and a 2-16 career record as a starter.

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“I owe it to all the guys, the coaches, the staff, the players, everybody involved, to be really critical about what we put on film, about what I'm seeing,” Canales said. “To make sure that I'm constantly making the best decision for the team every week, and it happens to be the quarterback position.”

USA TODAY Sports explores what’s next for the Panthers and Young:

Short-term fix: Andy Dalton

Dalton takes over for a Panthers team that is 0-2 for the second time in as many seasons. The 36-year-old signal caller is an experienced player, but he’s a journeyman quarterback at this point in his career.

The 14-year veteran will likely serve as a bridge between Carolina’s next quarterback or a possible Young return to the starting lineup.

“I just know Andy gives us our best chance to win right now. His résumé speaks for itself,” Canales said Monday. “He's an experienced player. He's got a lot of football in his history. So, I'm excited for Andy with this opportunity, and I believe he gives us our best chance to win this week.”

The longtime Bengals QB spent his first nine NFL seasons in Cincinnati. He’s also had a cup of coffee with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. He’s tallied 38,511 passing yards, 246 touchdowns and 144 interceptions in 170 career games (163 starts).

What’s next for Bryce Young?

Young's performance through two weeks suggests the quarterback has lost his confidence. He has a 55.4% completion percentage, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s averaged only 122 passing yards.

Young’s numbers indicate he regressed from a sub-mediocre rookie campaign in which he had a 59.8% completion percentage, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and averaged 179 passing yards per game.

Canales said there were “a lot of factors” that went into the decision to bench Young. But Young's benching was warranted. The quarterback is having a difficult time reading defenses and looks overwhelmed.

The demotion could motivate Young. He has an opportunity to learn under an experienced quarterback in Dalton and slowly regain his confidence.

However, Young’s benching necessitates questions about his future in Carolina. Will Young return later this season? Is he going to sit out the rest of the year? Or will Young get a fresh start elsewhere?

Furthermore, the concerns about Young’s 5-foot-10 height and slight build aren't going away.

What’s next for Panthers?

Canales declined to answers inquiries about Young’s playing status going forward or the quarterback’s future in Carolina. The coach said the team is “focused” on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.

“Right now we're focused on this week. We're focused on getting Andy ready to play the Raiders, and then we'll just take it like that,” Canales said. “We'll attack the Raiders. We'll attack this week, and get that mentality and the things that we're looking for.”

The Panthers mortgaged their future when they traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks and standout wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears in order to move up to the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select Young.  

Young has started 18 career games in Carolina. Is that a large enough sample size to move on from the quarterback?

Canales, a first-year coach, and first-year general manager Dan Morgan inherited Young, so they aren’t tied to the sophomore quarterback. The Panthers are tracking toward a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The organization could decide to move on from Young and select a QB in the upcoming draft.

Young’s rookie contract runs through the 2026 season. The Panthers also have the ability to grant Young a fifth-year option that will give the QB an additional year. But a fifth-year option seems unlikely at this point in his career.

It might just be best for both parties to go in a different direction.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

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