How bad was Bryce Young? Four stats that forced Panthers to bench QB for Andy Dalton

Bryce Young had two games in Year 2 to prove he could improve from his disastrous rookie season as the Panthers' No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023. After two more losses with continued awful play from him, Carolina had no choice but to bench him in favor of veteran backup Andy Dalton.

Although the Panthers could revisit Young's status at some point and give him another shot, it's clear they are waving an early white flag to say they made a big mistake on a potential massive bust. So, as they turn to Dalton to start on the road vs. the Raiders in Week 3, they will hope for a lot more efficiency from QB.

Here are four terrible Young stats that forced new offensive-minded coach Dave Canales' hand into making the change to Dalton.

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Bryce Young had a passer rating lower than below-average No. 2 QBs

Young, who threw 11 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions as a rookie while averaging only 5.5 yards per attempt and taking 62 sacks, had a QB rating of 73.7 last season. Including starters and backups, that put Young at No. 46.

This year, only 33 QBs have started. Young is dead last in efficiency, 33rd, even behind overwhelmed Broncos first-rounder Bo Nix. His yards per attempt in what's supposed to be a better downfield passing offense with Canales is 4.4 and his rating has dropped to a microscopic 44.4. He also already has three INTs to go with zero TDs combined vs. the Saints and Chargers.

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Bryce Young's air yards have been embarrassingly low, too

Young was tied for 57th with his 3.3 air yards per attempt in 2023, along with Tommy DeVito, Taylor Heinicke, Daniel Jones, and Cooper Rush. Only one of those players, Jones, remains an NFL starter in 2024, but he's on shaky ground with the Giants going into Week 3. Young is up to tied for 31st this season, but his air yards per attempt have gone down under Canales (2.8).

Bryce Young has been the most sacked QB since last season

Young was dropped 62 times last season, as the Panthers gave up 65 sacks as a team, tied for second-worst with the Commanders. The Giants gave up 85 sacks to lead the league in 2023, but they were spread out between Jones, DeVito, Tyrod Taylor, and wide receiver Parris Campbell. Sam Howell accounted for all 65 in Washington, but he's since been traded to Seattle and hasn't played this season.

Young is up to now 68 sacks in his 18 career starts. That averages to taking 3.8 per game, an unacceptably high rate of hits, which was hurt by Young's release time.

Bryce Young didn't get the ball out quickly as a rookie, either

Young's average release time as a rookie was 2.9 seconds, which put him 24th in the league. Although Canales and teammates praised how he shortened that in practices this offseason, he's still holding the ball too long. He also hasn't been good improvising as a runner, averaging only 2.4 rushing attempts in his 18 starts.

Other young QBs, such as notable second-year passers C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis, all have proved to use their legs well when in trouble. Stroud stood strongest in the pocket as the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Richardson and Levis perhaps rely too much on athleticism. Young has lost that instinct, instead running around for his life trying to avoid sacks instead of making defenses think he's a true dual-threat.

Young had a lot of promise as the Heisman winner coming out of Alabama. He went No. 1 overall thanks to his blend of smarts, decision-making, and uncanny playmaking. Unfortunately, none of that has manifested in Carolina.

Canales is looking for wins, facing pressure from a fickle owner who quickly fired predecessor Frank Reich  The new coach can't afford to keep attaching himself short-term to a QB who isn't executing in any positive way.