Panthers News: Andy Dalton’s Strong Performance Shows Bryce Young Could Be a Problem

Six days after the Carolina Panthers benched the No. 1 pick in 2023 NFL The draft decision paid off as the Panthers picked up their first win of the season behind veteran Andy Dalton.

Initially, the Panthers operated on a different level as Dalton, their quarterback, drove the field and scored on the game’s opening drive, giving themselves an early start.

Under Dalton’s leadership, the Panthers totaled 437 yards of offense. Dalton completed 26-37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdown passes, connecting with Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Chuba Hubbard for touchdowns.

After scoring a combined 13 points in their first two games with Bryce Young at point guard, the Panthers scored 36 points in Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Panthers haven’t scored 30 points in a game since the day before Christmas last year.

For the first time all season, the Panthers offense not only looked talented, it was explosive. Carolina went up against a Raiders defense that had allowed over 300 yards of offense in each of its first three games after facing two tough defenses in the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers, but this certainly looked like a completely different offense with Dalton at the helm.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales had not planned to bench Young after Carolina’s loss to the Chargers last week, but Canales opted to make the controversial move after reviewing video and deciding it was the best move for the team.

Canales knew benching Young was a tough decision, but he knew it would bring the team a win and ultimately boost morale.

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The Panthers haven’t given up on Young permanently, but it’s been clear they haven’t been able to play at the level they’d like in the first two weeks he’s been under center.

At the end of the day, Canales is a first-year head coach working for a Panthers organization that has recently short-hired head coaches. Canales was not part of the organization when they drafted Young, and if the Panthers don’t start winning, he may not get a chance to prove himself or get another opportunity next season.

If Canales can’t get a win, he could lose both the locker room and its culture, which wouldn’t help his case.

Coming off their first win of the season, the Panthers will now focus on their Week 4 match against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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