The Carolina Panthers have announced that they may have to take the field on Sunday without their starting quarterback, Bryce Young. Young, who was the top pick of the 2023 draft, missed his second consecutive practice due to an ankle injury. As a result, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has been taking all the first-team snaps in preparation for the game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Dalton expressed his excitement about being back in the spotlight once again. After being a backup quarterback, he now has the chance to lead the team and take ownership of the offense. Dalton believes that his experience and understanding of how he wants the game to look and feel will contribute to the success of the team. The opportunity to be in control and execute the game plan is what makes football fun for him.
Bryce Young suffered his ankle injury during Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints, which resulted in a 20-17 loss for the Panthers. However, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown stated that the injury did not have an apparent effect on Young’s performance. Nevertheless, the team has not yet discussed whether giving Young a break would be beneficial for his overall development as a rookie quarterback.
Despite being the top pick of the 2023 draft, Bryce Young has struggled in the first two games of the season. He currently ranks 27th in ESPN’s Total QBR and 31st in passer rating. Young has only led two touchdown drives, with only one of them occurring in the first 7½ quarters of play. In addition, he has committed three turnovers, including two interceptions and one fumble.
Andy Dalton made it clear that Young is not solely to blame for the offensive struggles that the Panthers have faced. Dalton believes that the team’s difficulties have been the result of various factors, such as missed assignments and a lack of execution. He emphasized that it hasn’t been just one thing causing the issues on offense.
Despite being the backup quarterback, Dalton has had previous success playing against the Seattle Seahawks. During his rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals, he led the team to a 34-12 victory, completing 18 of 29 pass attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns. In 2019, he also had an impressive performance against the Seahawks, throwing for 418 yards and two touchdowns, although the Bengals ultimately lost the game.
Center Bradley Bozeman expressed confidence in Dalton’s abilities, regardless of whether he is the starting quarterback or the backup. Bozeman praised Dalton’s leadership qualities and stated that he has been leading the team effectively throughout the season. The offensive line believes that both Dalton and Young will be ready to contribute in any situation.
With a career record of 83-77-2 as a starter for various teams, including Cincinnati, Dallas, Chicago, and New Orleans, Dalton brings valuable experience to the Panthers’ offense. After a 6-8 season with the Saints in 2022, Dalton signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Carolina in the offseason. He now has the opportunity to help an offense that ranks last in the NFL in scoring, averaging only 13.5 points per game. Dalton plans to push the tempo, motivate his teammates, and make the necessary plays to give the Panthers a chance at victory.
While the absence of Bryce Young is undoubtedly a setback for the Carolina Panthers, the team is confident in the abilities of Andy Dalton to step up and lead the offense. Dalton’s experience, previous success against the Seahawks, and his reputation as a dependable leader make him a viable option for the Panthers moving forward. As the Panthers look to secure their first win of the season, Dalton will be relied upon to provide guidance and make the necessary plays to turn their offensive struggles around.
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