Panthers not considering QB change

Week 2 produced another loss featuring a dismal offensive performance by the Panthers, as the team managed just three points against the Chargers. When asked about a potential quarterback change, however, head coach Dave Canales gave a public vote of confidence in starter Bryce Young. 

“Bryce is our quarterback,’ Canales said, via ESPN’s David Newton. “We’re going to continue to shore up and fix the things we need to fundamentally, from a scheme standpoint, all those things.”

Young started all but one game during his rookie season, one in which Frank Reich was fired midway through his first year as head coach. The target of Carolina’s blockbuster move up the draft order for the No. 1 pick struggled across the board, throwing nearly as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (11) and taking 62 sacks. The Panthers finished 2-15, but the terms of the Young trade left them without their Day 1 selection in 2024.

Aiming to take needed steps forward on offense, the Panthers dismissed general manager Scott Fitterer and hired Canales as a coach capable of overseeing Young’s development. The 43-year-old impressed during a lengthy tenure in Seattle, and his work with Geno Smith landed him the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator gig last year. Canales helped Baker Mayfield enjoy the best statistical season of his career in a number of respects and put himself on the head coaching radar as a result.

Carolina made a pair of big-money additions along the offensive line during free agency (guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis) while also bringing in a number of new faces at the skill positions. An emphasis was placed on the run game to help ease the burden on Young, but the Panthers currently rank just 29th in production on the ground. A step forward in passing efficiency would help compensate for that, but Young’s performances in the NFL to date have offered few signs that will be taking place soon.

The Alabama product has mustered 245 scoreless passing yards with a 55.4% completion percentage through two games, throwing three interceptions during that span. While Young has scored a rushing touchdown, his showings individually and those of the Panthers as a whole have left plenty to be desired. The team has scored only 13 points across the past four games dating back to the end of the 2023 campaign.

Andy Dalton resides as Carolina’s backup signal-caller. The 36-year-old racked up 361 yards and a pair of touchdowns during his lone start last season, and with 170 games of experience he would likely offer considerably more stability under center than Young as things currently stand. Calls for major changes on offense will no doubt continue if Young’s struggles persist, but for at least the short term Canales is set to maintain the status quo at the QB spot.