Panthers’ new starting QB Andy Dalton never thought he’d get this opportunity again

Andy Dalton has been here before. He just never knew if he’d get the chance to be here again .

On Monday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales named Dalton the team’s new starting quarterback , following the benching of last year’s first overall draft pick Bryce Young .

Dalton, who has served as a journeyman backup QB for the better part of the past four seasons, will make his first start in nearly a year on Sunday in Las Vegas against the Raiders.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Dalton said Monday. “When I came here (in 2023), I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another opportunity to start again. And so, 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 on everybody. But for me, I’m looking forward to it.”

Dalton, 36, appeared in the Week 1 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints — his previous team — and threw one incomplete pass.

Other than that one toss, Dalton — who missed the majority of training camp with a quad injury — hasn’t seen much action over the past 12 months. He missed the entirety of the preseason, and watched Young take on all the first-team reps throughout the first two weeks of the campaign.

But now, after Young threw for 245 passing yards and three interceptions to start the season, Dalton is back in the driver’s seat, and he’s not flinching.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” Dalton said Monday. “But when (Canales) told me, it was like one of those deals where it was like, ‘This is one thing that I’ve been praying for, an opportunity,’ and I’ve got it now.”

Dave Canales: Andy Dalton gives us the best chance to win

Following the decision to name Dalton as his starter for Week 3, Canales said the veteran QB gives the Panthers the best chance to win against the Raiders.

But Canales refused to discuss the starter’s long-term projection in the role beyond this week.

“His resume speaks for itself,” Canales said about Dalton. “He’s an experienced player, he’s got a lot of football in his history. So, I’m excited for Andy with this opportunity, and I believe he gives us our best chance to win this week.”

Dalton has thrown for 38,511 passing yards and 246 touchdowns in his career. He also threw for 361 passing yards and two touchdowns in his lone start with Carolina last year against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept 24, 2023.

After being around the NFL for 14 years, Dalton has confidence that he can make plays.

“At this point in my career, I’m just thankful for an opportunity,” Dalton said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to get it again, and so for me, it’s like, man, I’m fired up — I’m pumped. I’m going to get a chance to do what I’ve done my whole career.”

Dalton puts importance on Bryce Young’s new role

Dalton was a full-time starter during his first nine years in the NFL. The 2011 second-round pick led the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense and the franchise reached the postseason five times.

However, his tenure in Cincinnati essentially ended with a benching. In that regard, he can relate to what Young is going through.

“I went 0-8 and got benched my last year in Cincy,” Dalton said. “So, it wasn’t the start of my career, but at one point. So, it’s part of it. I can feel for everything that he’s feeling.”

Dalton left Cincinnati for Dallas and then Chicago and then New Orleans. He started 29 games over three years, jumping from NFL town to NFL town, producing 6,556 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in that span.

He knows how to be a starter. He knows how to be a backup. And he was among the group that helped show Young what it’s like to be a professional at this level.

Given the role reversal on Mint Street, Dalton believes Young can help him as the Panthers look to salvage this season.

“He’s a guy that I’m going to lean on,” Dalton said. “I’m going to go right from playing to coming to (the sideline) saying, ‘Hey, what’d you see?’ And he’s got a ton of insight, and he’s going to be able to help from that standpoint.

“And his opinion, and what he has to say, carries a lot of weight.”