{"id":191888,"date":"2024-09-29T08:30:27","date_gmt":"2024-09-29T12:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=191888"},"modified":"2024-09-29T08:08:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-29T12:08:57","slug":"panthers-new-qb1-andy-dalton-set-face-familiar-desperate-bengals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/09\/29\/panthers-new-qb1-andy-dalton-set-face-familiar-desperate-bengals\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers New Leader Seeking Revenge In Week 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> have been 0-3 before. The last time? Current Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton opened the 2019 NFL season as their starter, an unflattering encore for a three-time Pro Bowler.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dalton ended his nine-season tenure with the Bengals as a maligned veteran. After failing to produce a win in the Bengals\u2019 opening eight outings, coach Zac Taylor benched Dalton. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preparing to face his former team for the fourth time in five seasons Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, Dalton reflected on his final season with the Bengals. Dalton went 2-11.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was tough for sure,\u201d Dalton said during Wednesday’s press conference<\/a>. \u201cThere were a lot of things that were just hard. It was kind of similar to how it was here where we felt we were close in a lot of games, but we couldn\u2019t break through and find the wins we needed to.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, the pair divorced and Dalton ended up playing the field, signing with the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> (2020), Chicago Bears<\/a> (2021), and New Orleans Saints<\/a> (2022) before hooking up with the Panthers on a two-year contract before the start of last season. Part of Dalton\u2019s job description was to become a mentor to Bryce Young. They developed a close relationship, but Young\u2019s on-field progress stagnated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial stages of the “Young Era” ended when the 2021 Heisman trophy recipient received word of his benching after Week 2<\/a>. Dalton stepped in last Sunday and led the Panthers to a 36-22 victory over the host Las Vegas Raiders<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was good for us to get the first win of the year,\u201d Dalton said. \u201cNow it\u2019s something for us to build on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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QB Andy Dalton knows #Panthers<\/a> shouldn\u2019t under-estimate winless #Bengals<\/a> during Sunday\u2019s #NFL<\/a> matchup \u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AQMu9FmDIx<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 27, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n