The Carolina Panthers' 2024 NFL season took a dramatic turn when they decided to bench their 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, after just two games. The decision comes on the heels of a disappointing 0-2 start, prompting the team to place the rookie behind veteran quarterback Andy Dalton on the depth chart.
Early Season Struggles
Young's entry into the NFL was highly anticipated, and the Panthers were hopeful that he would invigorate the team's offense. However, with the Panthers managing only 38 rushing attempts in the first two games while opponents combined for a staggering 81 attempts, it was clear that the offense was out of sync and the defense overwhelmed.
The frustrations culminated in their Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a game that saw Bryce Young and the entire offense struggle to find a rhythm. "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," Young admitted candidly. "For the most part, every snap hit my hands and I didn't do enough with it at the end of the day."
Reactions from Teammates and Mentors
The benching of such a high-profile draft pick naturally drew reactions from all sides. Despite the setback, several Panthers players rallied around their young quarterback following the team's defeat. On social media, basketball legend LeBron James also stepped in to offer words of encouragement, telling Young that the benching "ain't on you."
Young himself took the news with a mature perspective, saying, "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."
Leadership and Future Prospects
Head coach Dave Canales finds himself at a pivotal moment as he navigates the team through these early-season tribulations. The next games are considered crucial for the Panthers, and Canales must now balance developmental goals with the urgent need to reverse the team’s fortunes. Young's understanding of the broader picture is evident. "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," he stated.
Despite the early struggle, it's clear that Bryce Young's work ethic and attitude remain unshaken. For the Panthers, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with a talented roster and supportive teammates, there's hope that better days are on the horizon. The NFL season is long and winding, and the story of Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers is far from over.