NFL

Panthers Notebook: Bryce Young Blindsided, ‘Pissed’ By Benching; Roster Moves Continue

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published18 Sep 2024

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bryce young under pressure from chargers (1)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Dave Canales on Monday announced the benching of Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, the Panthers coach spoke of giving the struggling second-year quarterback time to watch and learn. 

Statistically speaking and judging from Young’s on-field body language, Canales could have been forced into the move.  

Since opening 2023 as the starter, Young ranks last in several categories among 32 quarterbacks with at least 250 passing attempts, including: 

  • Win-loss record: 2-16 
  • Pass completion percentage: 59.3 
  • Yards per attempt: 5.4 
  • Passer rating: 70.9 

Most telling, perhaps, is Young’s one touchdown pass, five interceptions and a 38 percent pass completion mark while under pressure. In two starts this season, Young completed 31 of 56 passing attempts for 245 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The Panthers have converted just two of 22 third-down situations. 

“A lot of factors go into it, for this decision,” Canales said. “Ultimately, it just kind of lands on my shoulders to be able to make the best decision for our group to give us our chance, our best chance to win this week. And we focus on the weeks, we focus on the challenge at hand. And we feel like Andy gives us our best chance to meet the challenge.” 

A three-time Pro Bowler, Dalton, a 14-year veteran, is 83-78-2 as an NFL starter. He was slated to take first-team snaps during Wednesday’s practice.

Young, along with a majority of teammates, did meet with the media during Monday’s open locker room session. The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick was “pissed” when he learned of his demotion, according to ESPN.

Panthers Make More Roster Moves, Release Eku Leota

The Panthers’ roster wheel keeps spinning. 

One day after Canales announced the plan to bench Young, the NFL franchise waived outside linebacker Eku Leota. A second-year professional, Leota compiled four tackles, including three for loss, during a Week 1 performance against the New Orleans Saints. 

Last Sunday’s effort during the 26-3 loss to the Las Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium proved to be quite different. Leota didn’t register a tackle and posted a disappointing 49.4 grade, according to Pro Football Focus. The contrast may be too much to maintain a spot on the rebuilding Panthers’ rotating roster. Leota, who had one of the Panthers’ two sacks this season, received word Tuesday of his release. 

The Panthers (0-2) continue to seek consistent effort from an edge defender opposite Jadeveon Clowney, who has compiled seven tackles, but enters Sunday’s matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) vying for his first his sack and quarterback hit. 

DJ Johnson, a second-year player, recorded his first sack and forced fumble against the Chargers, and newly signed Charles Harris likely will get the majority of snaps Sunday. 

Among other moves, the Panthers elevated practice squad tight end Feleipe Franks to the 53-man roster and released Jordan Matthews. The veteran tight end was re-signed to the practice squad Wednesday. 

The Panthers also could be in the market for additional depth along the defensive lineman if Shy Tuttle’s foot injury continues to linger.