Will the Panthers bench Bryce Young? Carolina head coach supports struggling passer

The 2024 Carolina Panthers were determined to bounce back from a league-worst 2-15 season, but the first two weeks have been ugly. Bryce Young was drafted first overall in 2023 but hasn't met expectations.

Many NFL fans would suggest that Carolina's trade with the Chicago Bears to acquire the first overall pick and select Young was among the worst trades in NFL history.

The Panthers have been beaten down through the first two games of 2024, and Young hasn't performed up to his first-overall billing. His latest performance in a loss to the Chargers raised further questions. Head coach Dave Canales, though, still believes in Young and won't entertain talk of benching the passer just yet.

"Bryce is our quarterback, I'd love to see this thing just continue to take the next steps offensively, right now," Canales said following the game.

Still, the numbers didn't paint a pretty picture.

Bryce Young stats today

The second-year quarterback has been brutal again in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Young completed 8 of 10 passes for 22 yards in the first half and threw an interception. Carolina went into halftime down 20-0.

The 2023 first overall pick finished the game 18-of-26 passing for 84 yards and one interception.

In Week 1, the Panthers were trampled 47-10 by the division rival New Orleans Saints. Young struggled in the loss, completing 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards and 2 interceptions.

On the Panthers' first offensive snap of the season, the 23-year-old quarterback was intercepted by Will Harris.

First-time head coach Dave Canales has his work cut out for him. Canales has built a reputation around the NFL for helping revive the careers of quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield in Tampa and Geno Smith in Seattle.

Young finished 29th among 30 qualified quarterbacks in Total QBR in his rookie season, and the hope is that Canales will bring out the best in the young quarterback. With C.J. Stroud excelling with the Houston Texans, who was selected second overall behind Young, the pressure is elevated on the Panthers quarterback to improve.

Carolina bolstered the offensive line in the offseason by making two significant signings: former Dolphins RG Robert Hunt and Seahawks LG Damien Lewis. The team also added to the wide receiver room, trading for Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Leggette with the final pick in the first round. Despite the additions to help Young, he has failed to provide competent play under center.

Following Sunday's embarrassing 26-3 loss, Canales was asked if he considered benching Young for veteran Andy Dalton next week. Canales responded adamantly.

"Bryce is our quarterback. We're just going to continue to shore up and fix the things we need to fundamentally from a scheme standpoint," Canales said. "All of those things. These are all valuable reps. These are all valuable games. We'll learn a lot from this game and hopefully take another step this weekend."

The Panthers next game is on Sunday on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bryce Young trade details

Panthers receive:

• 2023 first-round pick (No. 1 overall – QB Bryce Young)

Bears receive:

• WR D.J. Moore

• 2023 first-round pick (No. 9 overall – OT Darnell Wright)

• 2023 second-round pick (No. 61 overall – CB Tyrique Stevenson)

• 2024 first-round pick (No. 1 overall – QB Caleb Williams)

• 2025 second-round pick (TBD)

With the Panthers finishing with the worst record in the NFL last season, Chicago acquired the No. 1 overall pick and subsequently selected Caleb Williams. Young was selected first overall to be the pivotal piece to turn the Panthers franchise around. Carolina hasn't won more than seven games in a season since 2017 and is on its way to a 0-2 start in 2024.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bryce Young stats today: Panthers QB struggles again in loss