Bryce Young has been benched, but he’s not giving up.
The struggling Panthers quarterback opened this week after being benched for Andy Dalton after struggling the first two games of the season.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick will be on the sidelines for the time being, saying the decision caught him by surprise.
“As a competitor, obviously not how you dream of what’s going to happen,” Young said of the decision to sit him, according to ESPN. “It wasn’t something I necessarily was expecting. Obviously, it was not something that was great to hear.”
He added: “I had a lot of plays last year and in the first two games. For the most part, every snap hit my hands and I didn’t do enough. I take accountability for that. There’s a long list of things that I wish was better and I’ll continue to work and grow and improve and be better at.”
Young later discussed how he’s managed to navigate the situation, saying how he still wants to step up in the best way he can.
“I’m a day-by-day kind of person,” Young said. “I’ve talked about that consistently. Big picture stuff, that’s out of my hands. That’s organizational stuff, for the people upstairs. I’m super grateful to be part of the team, with our organization. I want to help in every way I can.”
In regard to the possibility of Young being traded, ESPN reported that “a source close to Young” suggested that he is “open to anything” as it pertains to remaining in Carolina or having a reset elsewhere.
Young this season, in two starts, has completed just 31 of 56 passes for 245 yards and three interceptions.
He has not yet thrown a touchdown.
His QBR is a brutal 9.4.
Last season, as a rookie, he started 16 games, going 2-14.
He completed just under 60 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while putting up a 33.4 QBR.
He was also sacked 62 times.
Dalton will start for the 0-2 Panthers this weekend against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
