The Carolina Panthers are under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons entering Week 3.
Following another disastrous start to the season for quarterback Bryce Young, the team announced on Monday that the 2023 No. 1 overall pick would be benched in favor of 36-year-old veteran Andy Dalton. Fans now have questions as to what’s next for the franchise and what is to come ahead of Carolina’s road trip out west to take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
Let’s reach into this week’s edition of the Panthers Wire mailbag and answer some of your inquiries…
(Note: Some questions have been edited for length and clarity.)
A break for Bryce
Is this temporary to give Bryce a break and he will be back this season? – @jenw_8
After benching Young on Monday, head coach Dave Canales has not specifically ruled out the possibility of the 23-year-old playing again this season. He also said that he still believes Young can be a franchise quarterback, and that he and his staff are about the growth and development of the players on their roster.
That last part tells me that we will likely see Young again in 2024. This type of move is hard to come back from though—especially when it’s this early in his career.
For now, Dalton is the starter, but it’s fair to expect Young to be back under center around the Week 11 bye. Right now, Canales is focused on getting the offense into a rhythm by promoting a stubborn run game and a reliable passing outlet.
Moving on from Young via trade
Should the Panthers consider trading Young? If so, what would they be able to get for him? A second-round pick would be worth the move, but I don’t think they could get that. – David J.
Is there any reason Bryce is at his absolute bottom value? I see rumors he will be traded. Why? – Norm C.
As of right now, there have been no indications that Young is being shopped—and Canales has made that clear.
But things can change. So, let’s explore this hypothetical.
Being a former top selection in any draft, especially at quarterback, would intrigue any team in need of a developmental player, spot-starter or even a long-term piece in the perfect circumstances. His value may seem “low” at the moment, but there is definite trade value in acquiring a talent like Young.
This is a signal-caller that is still quite skilled, and flashed that potential numerous times last season. The regression from last year is concerning, but plenty of quarterback-needy teams outside of Carolina will want to attempt to “fix” the former Heisman Trophy winner.
I could see a team offering a conditional draft selection or a Day 3 choice for his services if general manager Dan Morgan decides to move on this upcoming offseason. The teams that intrigue me in such a scenario would be the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets.
The last is a team that isn’t talked about enough as a potential destination. They have a lot of core pieces and a Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, who could be a great mentor for a year or two.
Panthers’ ceiling with Andy Dalton
What is this team’s ceiling if Andy ends up being a competent QB for us? – @MING0SZN
Great question. This is a fascinating time in franchise history, and Dalton will be getting what is likely to be the final go-round of his career considering his age.
I spent Tuesday evening watching Dalton’s All-22 film from his lone start for Carolina against the Seattle Seahawks. You will see competent play at the position and someone who will have answers for pressures and blitzes.
Dalton will provide a slightly calmer presence under center and will climb the pocket consistently. He does a great job using eye manipulation to hold safeties and take shots downfield.
A few inquiries were made about the lack of a deep ball from the Panthers offense to start the season, and it’s mainly a combination of teams playing with two high safety shells and a young quarterback who has simply lost his confidence as a thrower.
Under Dalton, you’ll see him test defenses downfield while being able to get to his checkdown outlets and short/intermediate hot routes quickly. The ceiling of this offense should be raised a fair amount. However, until Carolina’s defense can get stops against the run, the offense will still play with little room for error.
Expect improvement and possibly a few wins with the long-time signal-caller. And if he somehow gets the team on a winning streak, don’t expect Young back in Carolina next season.
Carolina’s struggles as a franchise
On a scale of 1-10 how messed up are the Carolina Panthers? – Chris A.
This question was a bit more expletive, but it’s a fair one to ask.
On a scale of one to 10, I would say the Panthers are at a nine for how “messed up” they are as an organization.
It all starts with David Tepper and his decision-making as a professional football franchise owner dating back to 2018. The two coaches he hired before Canales, keeping former general manager Marty Hurney an extra year longer, the hiring of the next general manager Scott Fitterer and never committing to a full rebuild after the departures of franchise greats Luke Kuechly, Greg Olsen and Cam Newton in 2020 have put the franchise where they are today— in the basement of the league.
There needs to be a commitment to winning while also rebuilding a team that needs to get younger. Canales is a coach who will likely stick around for a little while and be given a chance to establish what he wants within the building. There will be skeptics and pessimists due to the owner along with other aspects of the organization and roster.
The Panthers will likely have the worst rushing defense in football while trying to figure out their quarterback situation for the short and long term. Their core pieces beyond 2024 are defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who is out for the season with a torn meniscus, and cornerback Jaycee Horn, who the team is hoping remains healthy.
As Canales said this week—the team will be focused on trying to win games, but will grow and develop their players. This is not a playoff team and won’t be for the foreseeable future. Only time will tell on how things progress and if Tepper stays in the shadows as much as possible.
