By Joe Particular person, Lukas Weese and Larry Holder

The Carolina Panthers are benching 2023 No. 1 decide Bryce Young for his or her Week 3 matchup towards the Las Vegas Raiders, a league supply confirmed Monday. Andy Dalton would be the new beginning quarterback for the Panthers, per the league supply.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Community was first to report the information.

This transfer occurs after the Panthers’ second straight blowout loss to open the season, falling 26-3 to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Younger accomplished 18 of 26 passes however these completions went for simply 84 yards, the fourth-lowest passing whole in franchise historical past for a quarterback with not less than 25 move makes an attempt.

On Monday, Panthers coach Dave Canales mentioned he determined to bench Younger after watching the movie of Sunday’s loss. He mentioned he met with varied personnel choice makers on the way to proceed. Canales declined to reply what function Panthers proprietor David Tepper had within the choice to bench Younger.

“In the end this comes on me,” Canales mentioned. “My primary duty is to assist the Panthers win. This transfer places us in the very best place to try this this week.”

Canales’ phrases differed from what he mentioned on the podium after Sunday’s sport, when he mentioned, “Bryce is our quarterback.”

Dalton is in his 14th NFL season and is a three-time Professional Bowler.

“I’m actually wanting ahead to it,” Dalton mentioned. “I’m enthusiastic about what’s forward. It’s a tricky state of affairs. I’ve been on each side of it. It’s arduous on all people.”

By means of two video games, the Panthers scored a mixed 13 factors. Carolina is seeking to keep away from its second consecutive season beginning 0-3 when it faces the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Why now?

When Younger struggled by means of a rookie season that noticed him end because the NFL’s worst-graded passer, the Panthers devoted chunk of their free-agent funds and offseason energies to enhancing the offensive line and giving Younger extra playmakers. Regardless of higher safety, Younger regressed by means of the primary two video games with no passing touchdowns, three interceptions and 245 mixed passing yards.

Canales was at risk of dropping the locker room and fan base if he caught with Younger. Throughout Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, followers booed Younger, some wore baggage over their heads and others chanted encouragement for Tepper to promote the crew. — Joe Particular person, Panthers beat author

What does Dalton convey?

For starters, a veteran presence who ought to have the ability to settle issues down for Canales and the first-year offensive workers. The 36-year-old Dalton began Week 3 for the Panthers final yr at Seattle when Younger was sidelined for one sport with an ankle damage.

Dalton threw for 361 yards (34 for 58), which was the high-water mark for the Panthers in 2023 by way of passing yardage. If nothing else, inserting Dalton provides Younger an opportunity to catch his breath, watch how a seasoned quarterback performs in Canales’ scheme and maybe regain confidence. — Particular person

Numbers behind transferring Dalton to QB1

You’ll’ve thought all-time low had already occurred for Younger after Week 1, however his Week 2 efficiency was even worse. Younger produced the worst EPA per dropback charge of his profession, through TruMedia, at -0.69. For the season, Younger ranks final within the league in EPA per dropback charge at -0.44 and passer score at 44.1.

It will get worse.

Younger ranks final (99 certified quarterbacks) in whole QB EPA at -143.1 and EPA per dropback at -0.24 amongst quarterbacks of their first 18 begins since 2000.

At the very least Dalton provides the Panthers an opportunity on offense. He final served as a starter for the Saints in 2022 and compiled a good 0.02 EPA per dropback charge together with a 95.2 passer score. However the Saints solely went 6-8 with Dalton beneath middle as QB1. — Larry Holder, NFL senior author

Required studying

(Photograph: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Photos)





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