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, when the quarterback was seen for the first time since he was brutally gunned down.
Head coach Dave Canales has decided to promote Andy Dalton to starting quarterback after another loss on Sunday.
The Panthers are 0-2 and have been defeated by both the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers, scoring just 13 points and giving up 73.
But as Young was on his way to practice on Wednesday, he was asked by a Panthers fan to sign a football.
As Young scribbled his signature, the cheering fan 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 has decided to promote Andy Dalton to starting quarterback
Canales was asked Wednesday if the Panthers would consider trading Young. He said, “That’s not something we’re really considering.”
The former No. 1 overall pick threw for just 84 yards on 26 pass attempts in Sunday’s 26-3 home loss to the Chargers. He also threw 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 consecutive starts, according to ESPN. He has zero touchdowns against three INTs through two games this season.
Canales said after the game that Young would remain the team’s starting center in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He changed his mind less than 24 hours later.
“I owe it to all the guys, the coaches, the staff, the players, everyone involved to be very critical of what we film, what I see and to make sure I make 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 increase our passion for what we do to play.”
Canales declined to acknowledge whether the Panthers would consider trading Young
Canales said several parties discussed the move, but would not reveal to what extent team owner David Tepper was involved in the decision.
“Ultimately, this comes down to me,” Canales said. “My biggest 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 an 83-78-2 record 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 veteran reserve and starting player, Dalton was a starter 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 tough for everybody.”