The Carolina Panthers didn’t wait long to move off of their 2023 No. 1 overall selection.
This week, the team elected to bench quarterback Bryce Young, giving veteran Andy Dalton an opportunity to right the ship after an 0-2 start.
Read more: Bryce Young ‘Very Shocked’ at Panthers’ Decision to Bench Him
Young has made just 18 starts at the NFL level, leading the Panthers to a 2-16 record in those games. This year, he threw for just 245 yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions across two games.
The move sent shockwaves around the NFL, as it’s not often a team gives up on a No. 1 overall pick that quickly. However, the Panthers felt they needed a change, and head coach Dave Canales didn’t hesitate to make it.
Read more: Will The Panthers Trade Bryce Young? HC Dave Canales Weighs In
With Young’s benching this week, it got us at Newsweek Sports thinking who the next quarterback to be benched could and should be. The answer may seem obvious…
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 18: Quarterbacks Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers and Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants hug after a pre-season football game at MetLife Stadium on August 18, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Giants 21-19. The Giants should learn from the Panthers’ decision to bench Young.
Rich Schultz/Getty Images
The New York Giants selected Daniel Jones with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Jones has made 61 starts at the NFL level, leading the Giants to a 22-38-1 record in those games.
Jones has managed just one winning season with the Giants when he went 9-6-1 in 2022 and even earned an upset playoff victory against the Minnesota Vikings. That season earned Jones a massive four-year, $160 million extension.
Since the 2022 season, Jones has made eight starts after suffering a torn ACL last season. In those starts, the Giants have gone 1-7. Jones has thrown for just 1,273 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The Giants are off to a 0-2 start this season. Jones struggled mightily in Week 1 against the Vikings, completing just 52.4 percent of his passes and throwing for 186 yards and two touchdowns while being sacked five times. He was much better in Week 2, but the Giants still managed to lose to the division-rival Washington Commanders, making unfortunate history along the way.
Read more: Giants Make Worst Kind of NFL History in Sunday’s Loss
The clock is ticking on Jones to turn things around in New York. The team has invested a ton in Jones, and in six years, he’s led them to just one winning season.
The offseason edition of “Hard Knocks” showcased the Giants’ numerous attempts to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft to select a quarterback. However, they were unable to get into the top three, leaving them to stay at No. 6 and select standout wide receiver Malik Nabers.
If Jones continues to struggle over the next few weeks, and the Giants continue to lose games, they may have no choice but to move him to the bench. The Giants brought in veteran quarterback Drew Lock to be Jones’ backup this season, but he could very well earn some starts in the near future if things continue to spiral in New York.
