In a surprising turn of events, the Carolina Panthers have opted to bench their 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, and will instead start veteran quarterback Andy Dalton going forward. The decision comes after the Panthers fell to a disappointing 0-2 record, with Young struggling to find his rhythm in the first two games of the season.

Head coach Dave Canales had repeatedly expressed confidence in Young, stating that he was the team's quarterback. However, with the season slipping away and the Panthers in need of a spark, Canales made the difficult decision to make a change at the quarterback position.

The Panthers suffered a 26-3 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, following a brutal 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Young's performance in these games left much to be desired, with only one rushing touchdown to his name and no touchdowns through the air. He struggled with accuracy, throwing three interceptions, and completing just 31 of 56 passes for 245 yards.

Young started all 16 games for the Panthers in his rookie season in 2023 but failed to live up to the expectations that come with being the No. 1 overall pick. The team managed to win only two games during his tenure, and Young often appeared overwhelmed and overmatched.

The decision to bench Young seems to have been a joint one, made by Canales, general manager Dan Morgan, and executive vice president Brandt Tillis. This decision marks a significant move for Canales, who is making his first major decision as head coach.

As for Andy Dalton, the veteran quarterback is no stranger to stepping into challenging situations as a backup. Last year, he replaced Young in Week 3 and has filled in for injured or benched starting quarterbacks multiple times throughout his career. He even took over the starting job for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 when Dak Prescott got injured and played a crucial role in leading the team.

Though Dalton, at the age of 36, may not have the same level of dazzle he once possessed, he brings a sense of dependability and experience to the Panthers offense. As they strive to find their footing and turn their season around, Dalton's steady hand may be just what the team needs in the short term.

With the decision to bench their former No. 1 pick in favor of a seasoned quarterback, the Panthers are hoping that the change will provide a much-needed spark and lead to better results on the field. Only time will tell if this quarterback switch will have the desired impact and pave the way for a resurgence in Carolina.