May Panthers Week 1 starter actually be Andy Dalton?

Sure, there’s a robust chance that Andy Dalton is the Carolina Panthers’ starter in Week 1.

Though the Carolina Panthers properly drafted Bryce Younger No. 1 total out of Alabama within the 2023 NFL Draft, there’s a likelihood the Panthers start Week 1 with Andy Dalton as their starter.

This will make Panthers and informal NFL followers uncomfortable to see the Pink Rifle beginning video games for one more workforce not named the Cincinnati Bengals. Nevertheless, I do firmly perceive their logic on this. Younger is essentially the most invaluable asset the Panthers have had since taking Cam Newton No. 1 out of Auburn 12 years in the past. They can not feed Younger to the wolves effectively earlier than he is able to play.

Right here is what Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer had to say about who’s QB1 in Charlotte.

“We’re going to depend on our coaches — Jim Caldwell, Frank Reich, Thomas Brown — to resolve when it’s proper. We don’t have a timeline. We’re not saying, ‘Hey, this man’s gonna begin the primary sport or we’re not going to play him in any respect this 12 months.’ When the time is true or we felt like he’s received sufficient of a mastery of the offense the place he can exit and function this and achieve success, that’s when he’ll be on the market.”

Fitterer additionally made it a degree to say the Panthers signed Dalton for a motive this offseason, too.

“We went out and signed Andy Dalton for a motive. He performed as a rookie. He’s received a whole lot of expertise. He understands his position and he can play good soccer. If Andy’s the man to start out the season, and he’s the starter proper now heading into the season, then he’ll be the man. When Bryce is prepared or Matt Corral is prepared whoever it could be, that’ll be the time they go in. We are saying it’s open competitors, however Frank did say, ‘Hey, Andy’s he’s our man proper now. He’ll stroll into the season because the starter after which as , the younger guys compete beneath him, then they’ll go in once they’re prepared.’”

Remember that new head coach Frank Reich began the primary few video games in franchise historical past with the growth 1995 Panthers earlier than high draft decide Kerry Collins out of Penn State took over.

The thought that Dalton could get to start out a number of video games could make some Carolinians a bit uneasy, however belief me, it might be the suitable name ought to that be the course Fitterer and Reich wish to go in.

Carolina Panthers may go together with Andy Dalton over Bryce Younger as Week 1 starter

Admittedly, we’re so far-off from this doubtlessly being a actuality, however don’t dismiss it simply but. Dalton began video games initially for the 2021 Chicago Bears when Justin Fields was a rookie. Though it didn’t actually matter as a result of the Bears have been principally horrible, there was some logic behind what Matt Nagy and Ryan Tempo needed to do in Chicagoland. Carolina may observe go well with.

As a result of the NFC South is so very winnable, the Panthers should not hurting themselves too badly beginning Dalton in a division the place the three different quarterbacks of word are Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield and Desmond Ridder. They’re all high-quality, however none are bonafide rockstars. Dalton was each bit nearly as good as Carr is throughout his temporary prime with the Marvin Lewis period of Bengals soccer.

It’s going to take round 10 or 11 wins to win the NFC South. I count on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will pull again within the wake of Tom Brady’s second retirement. Though the New Orleans Saints are most likely the slight favorites to win it, the Atlanta Falcons completed final 12 months robust and had themselves an ideal offseason. Carolina additionally performed effectively down the stretch, too.

Whereas a lot of what made the Panthers’ protection so robust within the latter a part of final 12 months stays, Steve Wilks isn’t round anymore. I completely perceive why proprietor David Tepper needed to go together with an offensive-minded head coach in Reich, however Wilks had whole buy-in from this workforce on an interim foundation. Reich is aware of quarterbacks, however he did endure from the Indianapolis Colts’ mind drain of late…

Total, Younger is just too proficient to not overtake Dalton sooner relatively than later. It’s an inevitability at this level. Nevertheless, Younger is small in stature, which isn’t Reich’s cup of tea, so to talk. Whereas we could not see Younger discover ways to baseball slide successfully between now and Labor Day, don’t count on Reich to pressure him on the market simply to appease the followers. Have endurance.

In the end, I sense the Panthers are trending up, however do really feel like they’re a 12 months away. They may shock me, however I count on both the Saints or the Falcons will find yourself successful the division, principally as a result of they aren’t coping with as a lot change in-house because the Panthers and the Buccaneers are. Nevertheless, if any workforce is poised to run the NFC South going ahead, it simply may be Carolina.

Younger will make his Panthers debut sooner or later, however it is probably not proper out of the gate Week 1.