People around NFL think Panthers could soon make huge Bryce Young decision

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young helped his club erase a 17-point deficit during what became a 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins that improved the Panthers to 2-3 on the season this past Sunday.

Nevertheless, it sounds like some members of the NFL community believe head coach Dave Canales could once again relegate Young to backup duties sooner rather than later. 

Could Panthers bench Bryce Young for Andy Dalton again?

"The Panthers so far are standing by QB Bryce Young, who recovered from a rough start Sunday and brought Carolina back to beat Miami," ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano wrote Wednesday. "But there are people around the league who are watching that situation to see whether Young, who hasn't maintained the momentum that he finished with last season, could get benched again for Andy Dalton if he doesn't show improvement soon." 

Canales wasn't employed by the Panthers when they made Young the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Thus, Canales likely felt like he had little to lose when he benched Young after just two games in September 2024. 

Some believe Dalton would've remained in the lineup through Week 18 had he never suffered a sprained thumb in an October car accident. While Young played well across his last 10 starts of the season, he has mostly failed to impress this season. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Young heads into Week 6 ranked 29th in the league among qualified players with a 36.3 adjusted QBR, 27th with a 79.5 passer rating and 28th with a 60.9 percent completion percentage. 

Why Dave Canales has stuck with Bryce Young this fall

David Newton of ESPN shared why Canales stuck with Young during the Dolphins game. 

"He's been really consistent this year on when things haven't gone right,'' Canales recently said about his QB1. "When there have been mistakes, when he's turned the ball over, he's got a great look on his face and his eyes of accountability. He has a way of sitting down, collecting his thoughts and then coming back out with great energy. That's where he's been locked into, and I want him to stay there.''

It remains to be seen if Young will be able to "stay there" when the Panthers host the Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1) this Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had Carolina as a 3.5-point underdog for that matchup. 

"The Panthers will have a fifth-year option decision to make in May on the 2023 first overall pick, and it's possible they could be in the market for a new QB next offseason," Graziano added about Young.