In a surprising move, the Carolina Panthers have decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young and replace him with Andy Dalton for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. This decision comes after a rough start to the season, with the Panthers sitting at a disappointing 0-2 record.

Young, who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, has struggled to find success on the field, going winless in his career so far. The Panthers made significant offseason upgrades to their skill positions and offensive line to support Young, but unfortunately, the results have been far from satisfactory.

The statistics paint a grim picture for the Panthers' offense. Their Total QBR of 8.9 is the third worst over a two-game stretch since ESPN began tracking the metric in 2011. They have been outscored by a staggering 60 points in just two games, with their only touchdown coming from a scramble by Young that was initially ruled as a fumble.

The Panthers' offensive efficiency rating of .70 is the worst out of 608 instances for Weeks 1-2 since it was first recorded in 2006. Additionally, they have converted just two of 22 third-down opportunities, currently ranking as the worst in the league.

These dismal performances have led to the decision to give Dalton a chance to steer the team in a different direction. Despite not being a full-time starter anymore, Dalton brings a wealth of experience and a calm demeanor to the Panthers' offense. He has started 30 games for four different teams since losing his starting job with the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2019 season.

While Dalton may not be able to single-handedly elevate the play of his teammates, he is known for limiting mistakes and providing stability to struggling teams. The Panthers hope that his presence will provide a much-needed spark and help them start finding success on the offensive side of the ball.

The decision to bench Young early in the season was not taken lightly. The Panthers understood the potential negative signal it could send to the locker room, but they also recognized that a change needed to be made for the team's overall success. Young still has the support of his teammates, with receiver Adam Thielen expressing his admiration for the young quarterback and vowing to fight for him.

Looking ahead, the Panthers face the challenge of rebuilding their offense amidst a roster that is considered one of the least talented in the NFL. The upcoming 2025 draft could be an opportunity for the team to find a new quarterback or add playmakers to both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

While the chances of a dramatic turnaround may seem slim, history has shown that teams can recover from poor starts. The 1989 Steelers, for example, had the second worst offense ever through Week 2 but managed to finish the season 9-7 and make the playoffs. It remains to be seen if the Panthers can replicate such a turnaround.

As they prepare for their game against the Raiders, the Panthers are hopeful that Dalton's presence will inject new life into their struggling offense. Only time will tell if this quarterback change can reignite the team and bring about a change in fortune for the Carolina Panthers.