Earlier this season, the Panthers benched Young in favor of Andy Dalton after an 0-2 start. Dalton went 1-4 as a starter before suffering a right thumb injury in a minor car accident. According to ESPN’s David Newton, Dalton was available in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and wasn’t limited in Wednesday’s practice.
“This is about progress from one week to the next,” Canales said. “I talk about finishing all of the time. That’s finishing plays, drives, quarters, halves and games. He did a fantastic job of finishing that game [against the Saints].”
In the 23-22 victory over New Orleans, Young completed 16-of-26 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also engineered a four-play, 64-yard TD drive late in the fourth quarter.
Dalton still seems like a better option than Young, who has a 3-17 starting record in two seasons with Carolina.
In six games, 37-year-old Dalton has seven TDs and six interceptions and has posted an above-average 55.6 QBR. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Young has three TD passes and six interceptions and has logged a below-average 26.6 QBR in six games.
Carolina, however, may want Young to pan out after it essentially mortgaged its future on the former Alabama star. Before the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers traded WR D.J. Moore, two first-rounders and two second-rounders to move up to No. 1 and take Young.
That may explain why Panthers first-year general manager Dan Morgan rejected trade offers for Young before Tuesday’s deadline.
“We never got into any discussions,” Morgan told the media Wednesday. “I never opened that door. I didn’t want to trade Byrce, and I still don’t. I am committed to helping him grow and helping him develop.”
Sticking with Young makes some sense for the Panthers. Carolina (2-7) is probably not contending for a playoff spot, possibly giving it more time to determine if he can rebound.
