The Experiment’s over!! Just two games into the new season, the Carolina Panthers have decided to bench 23-year-old Bryce Young and start with veteran Andy Dalton instead. It seems odd that the organization is already at this point with the 2023 No. 1 overall pick after just a single season. However, according to NFL Insider Albert Breer, David Tepper surrendered to benching Young after he saw that his experiment was failing badly on the field.

In the recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Breer hinted that even though it’s not necessary that Tepper signed off on Young’s benching, people at Panthers knew that the owner wanted this and acted accordingly. The Insider said, “I don’t think he pushed the button on this one, I think it had more to do with how Bryce was playing. But you know, I think in a workplace if you know what your boss wants, then you work accordingly sometimes”.

Breer also mentioned Young’s chances of getting back the starter spot are slim if Dalton plays well. However, in case the 36-year-old’s move to the starting lineup flops too, the Panthers might think of trying the 23-year-old as their starting QB again.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Tepper bulldozed all other Panthers’ executives into agreeing to sign Bryce Young. The insider further mentioned that although key members of the football operations of the club wanted to go for CJ Stroud or Anthony Richardson, they simply had to agree with Tepper and go for Young instead. Pelissero said, “Some in the league circles believe that the Panthers drafted Bryce Young because Tepper wanted him. And that the people who work for him are saying they did, too, because they know what’s good for them.”

Meanwhile, Panthers‘ Bryce Young has opened up about getting benched by coach Dave Canales.

Bryce Young says getting benched was “not something expected“

The 23-year-old QB took the accountability of the team’s recent downfall with back-to-back losses since the start of this season. Young mentioned that he didn’t expect to lose his spot in the team’s starting lineup within the first two weeks of this season.

In an interview with the Panthers’ beat reporter Sheena Quick, Young said, “Not something I was necessarily expecting. Not something great to hear, but I respect Coach [Dave] Canales, and I respect the organization. They made the decision. Right now, that’s the situation that it is. I have to do everything to help the team in whatever way I can.”

Young hasn’t been in great shape so far. He has just completed 245 yards and 55.4 percent of his throws. However, he has got zero touchdowns in the 2024 season. But benching Young after just two games this season is surely a sign of panic amongst the Panthers squad. Young is currently under contract with the Panthers until 2026, but in this current situation, his long-term future at the club seems a bit far-fetched. However, as of now the head coach Dave Canales has mentioned that the team isn’t planning to trade the 23-year-old QB.

With that being said, do check out our latest Think Tank exclusive interview with Doug Sanders. It’s packed with insights on the current NFL season, college football, NIL, and much more.