A Carolina Panthers fan had a four-word message for Bryce Young on Wednesday as the quarterback was seen for the first time since being brutally taken down.
Head coach Dave Canales made the decision to promote Andy Dalton to starting quarterback after another loss on Sunday.
The Panthers are 0-2 and have been dismantled by both the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers, scoring a combined 13 points and allowing 73.
But as Young was heading to practice Wednesday, a Panthers fan called him and asked him to sign a football.
As Young wrote his autograph, the supportive fan simply told him, “Keep your head up.”
A Carolina Panthers fan had a four-word message for Bryce Young, who was sidelined Wednesday
Head coach Dave Canales made the decision to promote Andy Dalton to starting quarterback.
Canales was asked Wednesday if the Panthers would consider trading Young. He replied, “That’s not something we’re really considering.”
The former No. 1 overall pick passed for just 84 yards on 26 pass attempts in Sunday’s 26-3 home loss to the Chargers. He also threw one interception.
Young, 23, became just the third player in the past 20 seasons to average four yards or fewer passing in four straight starts, according to ESPN. He has no touchdowns against three interceptions in two games this season.
Canales said after the game that Young would remain the team’s starter in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He changed his mind less than 24 hours later.
“I just owe it to all the guys, the coaches, the staff, the players, everyone involved to be really critical about what we film, about what I see and make sure that I’m consistently making the best decision for the team every single week,” Canales said.
“And it just happens to be the quarterback position and that’s why it’s loaded that way, but it’s every position and it’s all the guys. And I was able to stand in front of the team and challenge all the guys that we all have to step up our passion for what we’re doing to play the game.”
Canales declined to acknowledge whether the Panthers would consider trading Young.
Canales said several parties discussed the move, but he declined to reveal to what extent team owner David Tepper was involved in the decision.
“Ultimately, this falls on me,” Canales said. “My main responsibility is to help the Panthers win. I think this decision puts us in the best position to do that this week.”
Dalton, 36, is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with an 83-78-2 record in 14 seasons.
He has thrown for 38,511 yards and 246 TDs against 144 INTs for five teams, most notably the Cincinnati Bengals (2011-19), who selected him in the second round in 2011.
As a reserve and backup starter, Dalton has started for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and Panthers.
“I’m very excited about what’s ahead,” Dalton told reporters. “I’m excited about what’s ahead. It’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it. It’s tough on everybody.”