Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales observed Andy Dalton handle a shotgun snap during Wednesday’s NFL practice. The new starting quarterback executed a jet-sweep featuring wide receiver Adam Thielen as former starter Bryce Young stood along the sidelines watching the first-team offense begin working through the game plan for Sunday’s matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gripping the front collar of his uniform with both hands, Young reached out to high-five Thielen as the veteran strolled to the back of the receiver drill line.
In the team’s first practice, since Canales announced the quarterback switch, Dalton rolled to his right and connected with wide receiver Dionate Johnson on a short pass. The former three-time Pro Bowler will attempt to spark the NFL’s lowest-ranked offense.
Young, meanwhile, is attempting to hold on.
#Panthers QB talk … pic.twitter.com/2R8P6FGKRp
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 29, 2024
Quarterback Bryce Young Benched for Andy Dalton
In the moments after opening Monday’s press conference by confirming the morning rumors that the Panthers planned on benching Young, Canales stressed the franchise still believed Young would develop into a long-term starter. He quickly deflected speculation of a possible trade.
Young’s initial audition, however, ceased after 18 games, 16 losses and a chorus of boos during last Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium. Some fans on social media suggested Canales engineered a move of mercy. Since opening last season as QB1, Young ranked last among quarterbacks who compiled at least 250 passes, including passer rating (70.9) and yards per attempt (5.4). The 2023 first-overall draft pick’s lone pass downfield Sunday resulted in his third interception in eight quarters. With Young at the helm, the Panthers, who rank last with an average of 176 yards per game this season, have converted just two of 22 third-down conversions.
In his rookie season, Young failed to generate more than 150 passing yards and a touchdown pass over his past four starts. It’s the first time that’s happened in the NFL since the Oakland Raiders in 2009. CBS recently ranked then-Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell as the league’s biggest draft bust since 1990.
“It’s my decision,” Canales said during Monday’s presser.
Feeling blindsided by the benching, ESPN reported Young was “pissed” by the decision.
Dalton, meanwhile, had his prayers answered.
#panthers backup QB Andy Dalton warms up before Wednesday’s #NFL practice … pic.twitter.com/vXA4yRIEj9
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 28, 2024
Dalton: ‘Excited About What’s Ahead’
Well-regarded for his work over the opening 12 years of his career, Dalton signed a free-agent deal with the Panthers before last season with the understanding he would serve as a mentor to the young QB the organization planned on drafting. Dalton proved to be a good soldier. In his lone Week 3 start, Dalton went 34 of 58 for 361 passing yards, last season’s high mark, and two touchdowns in a losing cause.
But as Young returned the next week and the offense devolved through a series of philosophies and play-callers, Dalton never spoke out against Young or the failed offensive systems that produced a league-worse 265.3 yards per game.
Dalton’s patience and perseverance paid dividends.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Dalton said. “When I came here, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another opportunity to start again. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited about what’s ahead. It’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it and it’s hard for everybody. But for me, I’m looking forward to it.”
In 14 NFL seasons, Dalton recorded an 83-78-2 career record, amassing 38,511 passing yards with 246 touchdowns and 144 interceptions. Canales declined to predict how long Dalton will remain the starter. It could be for one game, or the remainder of the campaign. But it doesn’t matter much to Dalton. His wishes were answered: “This is one of those things I’ve been praying for,” Dalton said.
#Panthers QB Bryce Young gets introduced before Sunday’s home opener vs #Chargers … pic.twitter.com/cUVCRT8GMc
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 15, 2024
Main Photo: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
