Panthers to start QB Bryce Young in Week 10: Former No. 1 pick remains with the team after trade deadline
Bryce Young is set to start his third straight game with the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers’ head coach, Dave Canales, announced on Wednesday that Young would be the starting quarterback for the upcoming Week 10 match against the New York Giants in Germany.
“Bryce will be starting this week. This is about his week-to-week progress. I consistently emphasize the importance of finishing,” Canales said. “Finishing plays, drives, quarters, halves, and games is crucial. He did an excellent job finishing that last game.”
In his Week 9 game, Young orchestrated a game-winning touchdown drive to secure a 23-22 victory against the New Orleans Saints, marking the first such drive in his career.
The second-year quarterback completed 16 of his 26 passes for 171 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception.
“He’s been making good throws downfield. A lot of that comes from the chemistry he’s building with his teammates, resulting in some exciting plays during the game,” Canales mentioned regarding Young. “We’re focused on his progress and the importance of finishing well.”
Why was Bryce Young not traded before the deadline?
The Panthers have consistently stated that they have a plan in place for their former No. 1 overall draft pick, Young.
After being benched following a loss in Week 2, Young returned to the starting role in Week 8 after veteran quarterback Andy Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a car accident. Though his elevation back to starter didn’t follow a traditional path, he has shown positive growth as a quarterback.
Young has improved his decision-making and accuracy in his last two starts, achieving his highest quarterback ratings of the season with 76.9 in Week 8 and 77.6 in Week 9.
Even with these advancements, Canales stopped short of committing to Young for the rest of the season. The Panthers will have a bye week in Week 11, giving the coaching staff time to evaluate the quarterback situation.
“We took everything into consideration and decided to give him another chance this week against the Giants in Germany,” Canales explained. “Based on the progress he’s shown, I want him to play again. This bye week also gives us the chance to gather more information before making further decisions.”
Should Bryce Young be the starter for the rest of the season?
With a 2-7 record, the Panthers are positioned to secure a top pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft.
It would be beneficial for the Panthers to continue starting Young throughout the remainder of the regular season. This strategy would allow the team to gather extensive film on Young, helping them determine if he is their future quarterback.