Bryce Young is no longer Carolina’s starting quarterback, but the Panthers aren’t ready to send him packing.
That was the message Wednesday from Carolina coach Dave Canales, who announced two days earlier that veteran Andy Dalton would start this week against the host Las Vegas Raiders.
Young and Panthers (0-2) lost 26-3 to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, leaving the second-year quarterback with just two wins in 18 NFL starts. Carolina selected the former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Asked whether the Panthers are ready to deal Young to another team, Canales said, “That’s not something we’re really considering. 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.”
Canales praised Young’s effort on Wednesday as the No. 2 quarterback.
“Right back to work,” the coach said. “He dove into the game plan. We had our conversations in the QB room, talking about reads, about what we see from the defense. He followed it up with a great day on the field, some fantastic throws.
“He just got right back to work, which is exactly what I expected.”
The coach added regarding Young’s future, “This is a developmental-minded program, so the development didn’t stop (when he was removed from the starting role). Every rep he’s out there, we’re evaluating the whole thing, having conversations and continuing to push all of our guys, including Bryce, to take the next step.”
Young, 23, has completed 55.4 percent of his passes this year for 245 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Last year, he connected on 59.8 percent of his attempts for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 picks.
Dalton, 36, spent nine seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals’ starter and has since started games for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and Carolina. The three-time Pro Bowler has attempted just one pass this year, and it was incomplete.
