After a 2-16 begin to his NFL profession, the Carolina Panthers are changing quarterback Bryce Younger with Andy Dalton for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS).
That makes Younger the primary quarterback chosen No. 1 general within the frequent draft period (since 1967) to be benched for non-injury causes.
The Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to amass the 2023 No. 1 general choose to draft Younger, who’s 0-2 this season. His Whole QBR this season (8.9) is third worst over a two-game stretch since ESPN started utilizing the metric in 2011.
The Panthers have been outscored 73-13 the primary two weeks, with their solely landing approaching a scramble by Younger that originally was dominated a fumble. The 60-point differential is the worst by a staff within the first two video games since 2019.
Carolina’s offensive effectivity score (.70) by way of two video games ranks final out of 608 situations for Weeks 1-2 because it was first tracked in 2006, they usually have transformed two of twenty-two third-down alternatives, worst within the NFL.
The checklist goes on and on, however in the end the Panthers imagine Dalton provides them a greater probability of successful after they spent the offseason making upgrades on the ability positions and offensive line to assist Younger.
ESPN’s Panthers reporter David Newton, Saints reporter Katherine Terrell, NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid, nationwide NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler and NFL analysts Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder break down what led to the swap and what it means going ahead.
Why wasn’t it sustainable to maintain Younger at starter?
Receiver Adam Thielen, who bought visibly upset on the sideline Sunday after Younger was sacked on a third-down play when Thielen was wide-open, mentioned after the 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers this “is not a Bryce Younger situation.” He went out of his method to say how a lot he liked Younger and would struggle for him. That was the temper of gamers all through the locker room.
Coach Dave Canales did not appear in a rush to make a change after the sport, saying, “Bryce Younger is our quarterback” when requested who would begin Sunday in opposition to the Raiders.
So Younger hasn’t misplaced the locker room. What he has finished is lose two video games by a mixed 60 factors and fail to throw a landing cross, whereas by no means trying snug working the offense and persevering with to make dangerous choices. And he did not take command of Canales’ quarterback-friendly scheme that helped flip round Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay), Geno Smith (Seattle) and Russell Wilson (Seattle) up to now.
Canales knew benching Younger would ship a detrimental sign to the locker room. He additionally knew not benching Younger would not give the Panthers a sensible probability of successful. — Newton
Simply how dangerous have the Panthers been to begin the season?
The Panthers have been traditionally dangerous to begin the 2024 season, in response to my DVOA scores. They’ve the ninth worst general DVOA of 1,397 groups since 1979 by way of Week 2, going again to 1979. The offense is even decrease, rating because the seventh-worst offense of any staff by way of Week 2. It is not simply Younger who’s been terrible, because the Panthers are useless final in cross DVOA and thirty first in rush DVOA, forward of solely this week’s opponent, the Raiders.
If we take a look at historical past, the Panthers’ season cannot be fully written off but. Largely written off, positive. However the second-worst offense ever by way of Week 2 belonged to the 1989 Steelers. That staff misplaced its first two video games by a mixed rating of 92-10, then rebounded to complete the season 9-7 and make the playoffs. (The worst offense ever by way of Week 2 belonged to the 2002 enlargement Texans, they usually have been horrible all season.)
One other fascinating comparability can be the 2001 Washington staff which had the fifth-worst offense ever by way of Week 2. That staff benched quarterback Jeff George and went to Tony Banks after two video games, then rebounded to complete the yr 8-8. In fact, there is a huge distinction between benching a 34-year-old veteran in comparison with benching final yr’s No. 1 general draft choose.
Different groups among the many worst offenses ever by way of Week 2 embrace the 2019 Dolphins, 2006 Raiders, 2013 Jaguars and 1999 enlargement Browns. — Schatz
What are the choices for Carolina transferring ahead?
The one possibility is clear-cut: Hope for the most effective with Dalton whereas permitting Younger to reset behind the scenes for an eventual — if not far-fetched — rebirth.
The one good thing about benching Younger this early is they may return to him, and this transfer kind of saves him from himself after two ghastly weeks. However most individuals contained in the league who I’ve spoken to have been not less than mildly stunned by the transfer — particularly as Carolina is taken into account one of many NFL’s most talent-deficient groups. Folks contained in the Panthers constructing are stunned. They knew Younger’s play would ultimately get him benched if it did not enhance, however two weeks is a fast hook.
One veteran NFL personnel man had a unique take. “They needed to bench that man,” he mentioned. “The offense was nonfunctional.”
Canales will depend on the expertise and savvy of Dalton, whose 50.9 profession win share looms massive right here. It was famous to me a number of instances this offseason that Dalton did an excellent job of pushing Younger in apply — all the time talked about after praising Younger’s development. I did not take that as a sign to place Dalton on my Week 3 bingo card.
“Possibly [Canales] thought he was unfixable,” an AFC govt mentioned. “There is not a variety of endurance and improvement in our league anymore. You play early and want to provide rapidly.” — Fowler
What can we anticipate from Andy Dalton?
Dalton has a relentless constructive angle and a relaxed demeanor. He by no means will get too excessive or low, and the Panthers desperately want that proper now with a lot going unsuitable.
Whereas Dalton is not a full-time starter anymore, he has began 30 video games for 4 totally different groups since he misplaced his beginning job with the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2019 season. He has expertise in basically each state of affairs, and when the Panthers play in Germany on Nov. 10, Dalton may make his fourth begin in a global recreation.
The Saints introduced him in to again up Jameis Winston in 2022 and preferred his play sufficient to maintain him because the everlasting starter that season after Winston was injured early on.
Dalton may not be the kind of quarterback who can elevate the play of his teammates on offense. He is normally nearly as good because the supporting forged round him. However Dalton definitely will not make issues worse.
It has been a very long time since Dalton’s greatest seasons in Cincinnati, however there’s a cause groups have frequently turned to him as a starter up to now few years. He is aware of the right way to lead a struggling staff, and he’ll restrict errors to assist them scratch out some wins. — Terrell
Who may Carolina choose at QB within the 2025 draft?
The Panthers arguably have the worst roster within the NFL proper now. Exterior of defensive finish Derrick Brown, who’s out for the season with a knee harm, there aren’t many foundational items to construct on. So what lies forward in 2025?
If the Panthers resolve to maneuver on from Younger, they may choose one other signal-caller atop the draft since they personal their first-round choose in 2025. Georgia’s Carson Beck is at present the top-ranked passer within the 2025 class, whereas Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Texas’ Quinn Ewers are additionally viable choices close to the highest. Miami’s Cam Ward is a wild card to keep watch over, as his quick begin is already catapulting him up draft boards.
That mentioned, the 2025 QB crop is not practically as sturdy because it was in 2024, when a document six passers have been drafted throughout the first 12 picks. So possibly the Panthers resolve to go one other route with their first-round selection.
If Carolina elects to attend on drafting a QB, its focus may flip to including an offensive or defensive playmaker. Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter, Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr. or Georgia edge Mykel Williams may all present a right away enhance. The Panthers may additionally discover buying and selling again with a staff seeking to take one of many high QBs. That may enable them to amass extra 2025 draft capital or future picks to bolster a roster that is at present disadvantaged of high-end younger expertise. — Reid
Do the Panthers have any shot to get again into the NFC South race?
I extremely doubt it. Sure, Younger was an enormous drawback. However by way of (nearly) two weeks of the season, this staff additionally ranked thirtieth in EPA per play allowed on protection, twenty fourth in cross block win charge and twenty eighth in run block win charge. These are all areas which have little to do with quarterback play and can possible nonetheless stay points after the quarterback change. Their greatest participant on protection, Brown, is on injured reserve and finished for the season.
I believe Carolina is definitely upgrading its offense with the quarterback transfer, however the concept of Dalton — who has a 48 QBR because the begin of 2021 — parachuting into this staff and turning it right into a division title contender appears far-fetched. In any case, the Panthers have a 2.0% probability to make the playoffs and a 0.4% probability to win the NFC South. — Walder