Panthers not considering trading benched Bryce Young, coach says - ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales didn't hesitate Wednesday when asked whether Bryce Young still has a chance to be a franchise quarterback.

«Absolutely,» he said of Young, who was benched Monday after an 0-2 start to this season and 2-16 start to his pro career.

Canales also debunked any possibility the Panthers would consider trading the top pick of the 2023 draft, who has been replaced by 36-year-old Andy Dalton for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

«That's not something we're really considering,» he said. «We have a great situation with our quarterbacks right now with guys that have experience.

»We love where we are at, and it's all hands on deck."

Carolina players also insisted they still believe in the 23-year-old Young.

«It's definitely not over,» said running back Miles Sanders, who lost his starting job last season to Chuba Hubbard. «Definitely. He's smart. He's fast. He's the first one in the building, the last one out. It's definitely not over.

»This is his home, and he's gonna get another shot."

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, who after Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers said he loved Young and would fight for him, agreed.

«I'm very excited for his future,» he said. «Just in the moment, watching him practice today, the throws he was making, his confidence. You know he can do this at a high level.

»Sometimes it's not all that bad to just take a step back and breathe."

Teammates also were adamant that Young's size (5-foot-10, 204 pounds), which was scrutinized before the draft, hasn't been a factor in his struggles. Young has three interceptions to no touchdowns in two games and a Total QBR of 9.1 that is among the worst ever over a two-game stretch.

«That's been