By Joe Individual, Lukas Weese and Larry Holder
The Carolina Panthers are benching 2023 No. 1 decide Bryce Younger for his or her Week 3 matchup in opposition to 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 at the very least 25 go makes an attempt.
On Monday, Panthers coach Dave Canales stated he determined to bench Younger after watching the movie of Sunday’s loss. He stated he met with varied personnel resolution makers on how you can proceed. Canales declined to reply what function Panthers proprietor David Tepper had within the resolution to bench Younger.
“Finally this comes on me,” Canales stated. “My primary accountability is to assist the Panthers win. This transfer places us in the most effective place to try this this week.”
Canales’ phrases differed from what he stated on the podium after Sunday’s sport, when he stated, “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 stated. “I’m enthusiastic about what’s forward. It’s a tricky state of affairs. I’ve been on each side of it. It’s onerous on all people.”
By way 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.
Dave Canales declines to say what function David Tepper had within the Bryce Younger resolution. pic.twitter.com/NR92UujGe4
— Joe Individual (@josephperson) September 16, 2024
Why now?
When Younger struggled by a rookie season that noticed him end because the NFL’s worst-graded passer, the Panthers devoted a very good chunk of their free-agent price range and offseason energies to enhancing the offensive line and giving Younger extra playmakers. Regardless of higher safety, Younger regressed by the primary two video games with no passing touchdowns, three interceptions and 245 mixed passing yards.
Canales was in peril 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 luggage over their heads and others chanted encouragement for Tepper to promote the staff. — Joe Individual, Panthers beat author
What does Dalton convey?
For starters, a veteran presence who ought to be capable to settle issues down for Canales and the first-year offensive employees. The 36-year-old Dalton began Week 3 for the Panthers final 12 months 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 offers Younger an opportunity to catch his breath, watch how a seasoned quarterback performs in Canales’ scheme and maybe regain confidence. — Individual
Numbers behind transferring Dalton to QB1
You’d’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, by way of 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.
A minimum of Dalton offers 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 underneath heart as QB1. — Larry Holder, NFL senior author
Required studying
(Photograph: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Pictures)
