Carolina Panthers fan’s four-word message to struggling QB Bryce Young as he’s seen publicly for the first time since being benched
A Carolina Panthers fan had a four-word message for Bryce Young on Wednesday as the quarterback was seen for the first time since being brutally dropped.
Head coach Dave Canales made the decision to promote Andy Dalton to starting quarterback after another defeat on Sunday.
The Panthers are 0-2 and have been dismantled by both the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers, scoring a combined total of just 13 points and giving up 73.
But, as Young made his way out to practice on Wednesday, a supportive Panthers fan called him over to ask to sign a football.
As Young scribbled his autograph down, the supportive fan simply told him: ‘Keep your head up’.
A Carolina Panthers fan had a four-word message for benched Bryce Young on Wednesday
Head coach Dave Canales made the decision to promote Andy Dalton to starting quarterback
Canales was asked on Wednesday whether the Panthers would consider trading Young. He replied: ‘That’s not something we’re really considering.’
The former No 1 pick threw for just 84 yards on 26 pass attempts in Sunday’s 26-3 home loss to the Chargers. He also tossed an interception.
Young, 23, became just the third player in the past 20 seasons to average four or fewer yards per pass play in four straight starts, according to ESPN. He has zero touchdowns against three INTs in two games this season.
Canales said after the game that Young would remain the team’s starter in Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders. He changed his mind less than 24 hours later.
‘I just owe it to all the guys, the coaches, the staff, the players, everybody involved to be really critical about what we put on film, about what I’m seeing and to make sure that I’m constantly making the best decision for the team every week,’ Canales said.
‘And it happens to be the quarterback position and so it’s loaded that way, but it’s every position and it’s all the guys. And I was able to stand in front of the team and challenge all the guys that we all have to step up our passion for what we’re doing to play.’
Canales refused to acknowledge whether the Panthers would consider trading Young
Canales said a number of parties discussed the move but declined to reveal the extent to which team owner David Tepper was involved in the decision.
‘Ultimately this comes on me,’ Canales said. ‘My No. 1 responsibility is to help the Panthers win. This move, I believe, puts us in the best position to do that this week.’
Dalton, 36, is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with a record of 83-78-2 in 14 seasons.
He has thrown for 38,511 yards and 246 TDs against 144 INTs for five teams, most notably the Cincinnati Bengals (2011-19), who drafted him in the second round in 2011.
As a journeyman backup and fringe starter, Dalton has made starts for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and Panthers.
‘I’m really looking forward to it,’ Dalton told reporters. ‘I’m excited about what’s ahead. It’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it. It’s hard on everybody.’
