Panthers teammates, Dave Canales impressed with Bryce Young’s demeanor in blowout win

Exactly one week after Dave Canales benched second-year QB Bryce Young in favor of journeyman Andy Dalton, the first-year head coach made it clear that the depth chart would remain the same following the Panthers’ Week 3 blowout win over the Raiders in Las Vegas.

“Andy’s our quarterback,” Canales said Monday. “He gives us our best chance to win. That’s the approach as we get ready for the Bengals.”

And while Young — who was voted a team captain before the start of the regular season — will continue to hold a clipboard against Cincinnati in Week 4, his boss and teammates are encouraged by how he responded to his demotion in the 36-22 victory.

“This entire week, he’s handled this incredibly,” center Austin Corbett said. “It’s not a fun situation. It’s not anything — when you’re dreaming of going to the NFL — this is not the moment that you expect. But he’s been amazing this entire week of still being locked in with the protection meetings and all the other meetings, and in practice, leading the scout team there.

“On the sideline, still coming over and talking to us ... and that’s just a credit to Bryce and just who he is as a person, understanding this game and what he wants to be as a competitor is to continue to grow and be the best that he can be.”

Young was dropped down the depth chart after a rough two-week stretch to open the season. He threw for 245 scoreless yards and three interceptions as the Panthers were outscored 73-13 to start the season.

Dalton, a 14-year NFL QB, started against the Raiders and immediately cured most of the Panthers’ offensive woes.

He threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns while leading seven scoring drives and ending the team’s 20-game opening-drive touchdown drought.

Dalton was excellent on the field. And Young, according to his teammates and Canales, was strong on the sideline in support.

”He was consistent in his leadership,” Canales said. “The way that he connects with the guys, the way that he continued to connect with people, to add that value of the experience. Because now you talk about a guy that’s got 18 games of experience under his belt — to be able to see the game and bring those things. And he certainly did that.”

Young watched as the offense functioned at a high level with Dalton leading the way. While last year’s first overall pick could have been discouraged by the offensive turnaround with another QB, he instead stayed locked in.

Despite multiple national reports alluding to his frustration with the situation, Young showed character in a tough moment.

“He always was upbeat, always giving guys props on the sideline,” tight end Tommy Tremble said. “Being like, ‘Let’s go!’ Being positive, being a great leader on the sideline for us. And, to see that throughout the entire game, regardless of if we’re up or down, he was staying the same dude. And we love him for that. He was a great dude, had great energy on the sidelines, and getting a win as a team, it feels great together.”

Quick hits

▪ Canales said Monday that the Panthers are still awaiting updates on injuries for WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), LG Damien Lewis (elbow), DB Lonnie Johnson (groin) and safety Jordan Fuller (hamstring). All four players left early during the win over the Raiders.

▪ Dalton was nominated for this week’s FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week Award on Monday. He posted the NFL’s first 300-yard, three-touchdown passing performance of the season against the Raiders.

▪ Rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace, the team’s third-round draft pick, played on defense for the first time in the regular season on Sunday. He finished with 11 defensive snaps and two total tackles (one on defense, one on special teams).

▪ Defensive end Jayden Peevy is now the Panthers’ sack leader through three games with 1.5 sacks. He has gotten to the quarterback in back-to-back games. He previously forced a fumble on Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert in Week 2.

▪ Cornerback Mike Jackson, who picked off Raiders QB Gardner Minshew on Sunday, said he would give his game ball to his 3-year-old daughter, Ryann. The toddler gave Jackson a pep talk on the phone prior to the game. The interception was the second of Jackson’s NFL career.