Andy Dalton had been a boost for Carolina since taking over for Bryce Young. However, things didn’t go well for Dalton and the Panthers this time. Coach Dave Canales has decided to stick with his experienced quarterback.
Dalton threw for only 136 yards before being replaced by Young in the final minutes of a tough 36-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Behind a struggling offensive line, Dalton was sacked three times and threw a key interception.
Canales explained that he switched quarterbacks to protect Dalton and give Young some playing time. He confirmed that Dalton will start next weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. “Yes. Andy will be our quarterback next week,” Canales said, having taken the coaching position in January.
Carolina (1-4) chose Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft after trading for that selection with Chicago. Young began the season as the starter but was replaced by Dalton after a rough start in the first two games.
Dalton had a strong performance with 319 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-22 win against Las Vegas on September 22. He also threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-24 loss to Cincinnati last weekend. But against Chicago, he struggled to make any progress.
The Panthers managed just one touchdown, a 38-yard run by Chuba Hubbard on their second possession. They lost two fumbles and were only 3 for 12 on third downs.
Dalton, who will turn 37 on October 29, missed a chance to connect with Diontae Johnson in the end zone late in the third quarter. “We were never able to get into the rhythm,” Dalton said. “We got in a lot of third-and-long situations. Didn’t convert well on third down today. I think at the end of the day, that’s what hurt us.”
