Panthers bench Young, Dalton to start vs. Raiders

The Carolina Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and going with veteran Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback, coach Dave Canales said Monday.

The decision to bench Young was made by the Canales, general manager Dan Morgan and executive vice president Brandt Tillis, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The team was informed of the move during a position meeting, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

“Andy gives us the best chance going forward,” Canales said, adding that Young will serve as Dalton's backup against the Raiders.

Young had a historically bad day in Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, passing for just 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 last 20 seasons to average 4 or fewer yards per dropback in four starts. He has three interceptions this season and two for no touchdowns.

After the game, Panthers coach Dave Canales said, without hesitation, that Young would be the starter in next week's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

That plan has changed.

The Panthers are off to a 0-2 start for the second straight season and fifth time in the past six. They were outscored 72-13 by the Chargers and New Orleans Saints.

Young, the top pick in the 2023 draft, is 2-16 as a starter since the Panthers traded up eight spots in the 2023 NFL draft to get him. The Panthers made a significant investment in that deal with Chicago, sending wide receiver DJ Moore and four draft picks to the Bears — including one that became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after the Panthers finished a league-worst 2-15 last season.

Dalton, 36, last started for the Panthers in Week 3 of the 2023 season when Young was sidelined with an ankle injury. In that game, Dalton passed for 361 yards and two touchdowns.

ESPN's David Newton and The Associated Press contributed to this report.