Carolina Panthers trade with Chicago Bears looks an even bigger mistake after decision over Bryce Young

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At the moment, it’s safe to say that the Carolina Panthers are in the top three worst teams in the NFL.

For a few seasons now, the franchise has been trying to rebuild itself and get new pieces to go further. But things aren’t getting any better.

In 2023, a light appeared that seemed to bring a new direction for Carolina. In the Draft, the team had the ninth overall pick and made a super trade with the Chicago Bears, who owned the first pick, to choose their favourite quarterback from that class.

The Panthers offered Chicago a package with D.J. Moore, two first-round picks (one for the 2024 Draft and other to the 2025) and two second-round picks. All this in exchange for QB Bryce Young.

Even the Bears took advantage of their first-round pick and selected Caleb Williams this year.

That said, Young is in his second year in the NFL and the prospects for his development aren’t the best.

Panthers’ new offensive face as of Week 3

On Monday, Carolina decided to bench quarterback Bryce Young.

Tom Pelissero, from NFL Network, reported the information. As a result, head coach Dave Canales has promoted Andy Dalton to the team’s starting position.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the decision was made in consensus by Canales, general manager Dan Morgan and vice-president Bradnt Tillis. A source told the journalist that it was the HC’s ‘first big decision’.

Young has disappointed and left something to be desired with his performances in the first two weeks of the 2024 season. The franchise scored just 13 points in the two games combined – and suffered two losses, one to the New Orleans Saints and the other against the Los Angeles Chargers.

In these two matchups, the sophomore signal-caller amassed 245 yards with a 55.4% passer rating, three interceptions and no touchdowns.

The poor start follows the same rhythm shown by the player in his rookie season. In 2023, he recorded 2,877 yards with a 59.8% passer rating, 11 touchdowns and ten interceptions and had a 2-14 record for the Panthers.

The changes implemented so far for the 2024 season

Throughout the offseason, Carolina made changes to try to boost the production of its quarterback. The organisation fired Frank Reich after a 1-10 start to the 2023 campaign.

However, the hiring of Dave Canales as head coach and the addition of Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette to the receiving corps doesn’t seem to have had an effect.

Going forward, the team will lean on Andy Dalton in the search for better performances on the field. The 36-year-old veteran is in his second season with the franchise and has an 83-78-2 record as a starter in his career.

Dalton will be under centre for Carolina’s clash in week 3 of the NFL, when the team travels to face the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday (22).