Is the Bryce Young era over in Carolina?

The Carolina Panthers have benched starting quarterback Bryce Young , and have – at least temporarily – handed the reins over to backup Andy Dalton. Young got off to a terrible start this season last week against the New Orleans Saints , going 13-for-30 for 161 yards and two interceptions in his season debut as the Panthers were blown out 47-10.

Things didn’t get any better for Young and the Panthers in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers . Young followed up his dismal Week 1 performance with an arguably worse one in Week 2 against the Chargers, failing to throw for 100 yards on the day, and tossing another interception while failing to throw a touchdown pass for the second straight week.

Young, the former number 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft , had a tumultuous rookie season after being touted as the savior of the franchise. So much so that it led some NFL experts to wonder how much of a leash new head coach Dave Canales and owner David Tepper would have on the young quarterback this season. Now we know that the leash wasn’t very long, and Carolina prepares to head into Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders with a new signal caller.

It now begs the question: Is the Bryce Young era in Carolina over for good? Canales was brought in primarily for the work he’d done in Seattle with quarterback Geno Smith and in Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield, turning them into high-profile reclamation projects. Tepper and the Panthers organization were likely hoping that Canales could work his magic again with the former Alabama Crimson Tide product.

Not only have the results not been there in the first two weeks of the season, Young has arguably even further regressed in Year 2 and his first under the tutelage of Canales. Sunday’s 84 yards against the Chargers were the fewest passing yards Young has put up in a game so far in his career, and was the 10th time in his career that he has failed to throw a touchdown pass in a game – in 18 career starts.

The Panthers didn’t do Young any favors in his rookie season with the lack of talent around him, particularly at the skill positions. They made a concerted effort in the offseason to improve those conditions around him, bringing in former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson and drafting former South Carolina Gamecocks receiver Xavier Legette in the 2024 NFL Draft. Young has failed to build a rapport with either weapon, and the offense has stagnated to start the season.

Tepper has built a reputation during his time as the Panthers owner for making quick decisions, particularly at the head coaching position. It was reportedly Tepper’s idea to draft Young in the first place, will he be willing to make such a snap decision on this as well? Only time will tell, but it’s hard to imagine Young being given another chance in Carolina after the performances he’s put up in the first two weeks of the season.