Carolina Panthers bench QB Bryce Young for ex-TCU Horned Frogs star quarterback
The Carolina Panthers drafted Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but decided to bench the young quarterback after he struggled in the first two weeks of the season.
In his first two games, Young went 31 of 56 for 245 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns for a Panthers team that lost their first two games by a combined score of 77-13.
Young will be replaced by former TCU star quarterback Andy Dalton who is playing in his 14th season in the NFL since being drafted No. 35th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Dalton had a standout career for the Horned Frogs, earning two Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Awards while leading TCU to an undefeated 2010 season that culminated with a win over No. 4 ranked Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
Dalton spent the first nine years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals where he made three Pro Bowls before joining the Dallas Cowboys for the 2020 season. Dalton then played for the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints for a season each before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
Dalton’s start will mean the quarterback will have started at least one game in every season he’s played in the NFL.
Dalton said he was excited for the opportunity to start but empathized with Young’s predicament.
“It’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it, and it’s hard on everybody. But for me, I mean, I’m looking forward to it,” said Dalton.
The Panthers will play the Las Vegas Raiders at 3:05p.m. on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
This story was originally published September 17, 2024 at 1:28 PM.
