Panthers quarterback Bryce Young says he was shocked to learn of the situation, but accepts blame

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said he was shocked to learn from head coach Dave Canales that he had been benched and accepted blame for the team's on-field struggles.

“It wasn't something I expected,” Young said after Thursday's practice. “Obviously, it wasn't something I liked to hear. But I respect Coach Canales and the organization.”

Jordan Schultz, FS1 Contributor reported on monday Young and his team were “very surprised” by the news of his suspension, with one source telling Schultz: “It came out of the blue.”

Young is 2-16 as an NFL starter since arriving in Carolina amid high expectations after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 draft.

The Panthers are 0-2 this season and have not been competitive in either game. They have been outscored 73-13, including 53-3 in the first half, and have scored just one touchdown. Young has not thrown a touchdown pass in his last four starts dating to last season.

Andy Dalton, 36, will start Sunday in Las Vegas.

Young placed the blame on his own shoulders for the demotion and said he needs to be more productive.

“Last year and these first two games, for the most part, every play was in my hands and in the end I didn't do enough with them,” Young said“I take responsibility for that. There are plays and a long list of things I'd like to be better at and I'm going to continue to work and grow and get better at them. I'll always look in the mirror.”

He added: “If I went out and played better and we won games, we wouldn't be having this conversation.”

Young is the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the common draft era beginning in 1967 to be benched for non-injury reasons in his second season.

But the QB said he hasn't lost confidence in his own ability, although the demotion raises questions about his future in Carolina.

Canales attempted to soften the blow Wednesday, saying he still believes Young can be a franchise quarterback and that the team has no plans to trade him.

As for whether he still considers himself Carolina's franchise quarterback, Young sidestepped the question by saying, “Really, right now I'm a day-to-day guy. The big-picture stuff is out of my control. It's in God's hands. The organizational stuff is in the hands of the people up top” in the front office.

Young said he is grateful for the support of his teammates and will continue to approach the game the same way.

“I'm a competitor and it's not what you dream or what you think is going to happen, but I trust in the Lord,” Young said. “I know He's in control of everything and I'm super blessed. It's not ideal, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. I have to focus on what I can do now to get better.”

Report from The Associated Press.

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