After benching, Panthers' Young stays positive, vows to 'be better' - ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryce Young on Thursday admitted he was surprised when Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales benched him in favor of veteran Andy Dalton for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

«As a competitor, obviously not how you dream of what's gonna happen,'' Young said in his first interview since the decision was made on Monday. „It wasn't something I necessarily was expecting. Obviously, it was not something that was great to hear.

“It's on me to put them in that situation.''

Young, 2-16 as the starter since the Panthers (0-2) made him the top pick of the 2023 draft, repeatedly took responsibility for the decision to bench him the day after Canales said he would start the Raiders.

He never admitted he was mad, although sources close to the situation said he initially was.

Young also avoided speculation on whether he has a future at Carolina, although Canales said on Wednesday he still believed the former Alabama star could be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

»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.''

A source close to Young said the quarterback is „open to anything'' as it pertains to staying with the Panthers through the end of his rookie contract or being traded to another team.

Canales said on Wednesday that trading Young is “not something that we're considering.''

Young has spent the past two days running the scout team. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said the 5-foot-10, 204-pound Young has done a great job of playing the role of Raiders quarterback