The Carolina Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and going with veteran Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday.
Young had a historically bad day in Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, passing for only 84 yards to tie for the fourth fewest in team history for a quarterback with at least 25 pass attempts.
He became the third player in the past 20 seasons to average 4 or fewer yards per dropback in four straight starts. He has three interceptions and no touchdowns in two starts this season.
After the game, Panthers coach Dave Canales, without hesitation, said Young would be the starter heading into next week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Those plans have changed.
The Panthers are off to an 0-2 start for the second straight season and fifth time in the past six, and have been outscored 72-13 by the Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Young, the top pick of the 2023 draft, is 2-16 as the starter.
Dalton last started for the Panthers in Week 3 of the 2023 season while Young was out with an ankle injury. In that game, Dalton passed for 361 yards and two touchdowns.
NFL Network was first to report the Panthers’ quarterback switch.
ESPN’s David Newton contributed to this report.
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