Panthers HC Dave Canales makes big admission about 2024 benching of Bryce Young

Some wondered after Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales benched 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young following just two weeks of action if Young had taken his final snap as a member of the Panthers. 

It seems Canales also wasn't sure at that time if Young had a long-term future with the organization. 

"I did not know how he was going to respond to that," Canales said during an appearance on the "Pro Football Talk Live" program at the NFL combine, as shared by PFT's Michael David Smith. "What I knew was I needed to make the best decision for the Panthers at the time, and that’s truly, I want to win this game, and I felt like [veteran Andy Dalton] gave us the chance to win [the Week 3 matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders]. And we went week to week. I don’t know if this model works, but I know it worked for Bryce."

Dalton guided the Panthers to a 36-22 win over the Raiders and remained atop the depth chart until he suffered a sprained thumb in a car accident ahead of Carolina's Week 8 game versus the Denver Broncos. While Young reportedly was "p----d" to first learn of his benching in September, Canales said on "PFT Live" that the 23-year-old took the demotion as a "challenge." 

"He never stopped leading through that whole time," Canales added. "He was working his teammates in the locker room. He was working the sideline during games. He was there as support for Andy while [Dalton] was playing. He literally did not bow out. A lot of times you see these things happen and the quarterback all of a sudden starts to retreat. He just stayed available and was consistent with his teammates and kept working on his craft until he got his next opportunity. So I have to give Bryce all the credit."

Young didn't squander that opportunity and ultimately started Carolina's final 10 games of the campaign. Over those contests, he completed 61.8 percent of 319 pass attempts for 2,104 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 223 yards and five scores across those outings. 

It's not a stretch to suggest that Canales essentially saved Young's Carolina career in September. Young will now need to show this coming fall he can be more than just a competent NFL QB1.