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Andy Dalton shares inaccurate take on Panthers' offense without Bryce Young

Carolina came up with a third straight win on Sunday, but Bryce Young went down in the third quarter. Veteran Andy Dalton understands the Panthers’ offense.
Russell Baxter|
Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) warms up during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) warms up during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

Last season, the Carolina Panthers were coming off a 2-15 showing in 2023, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Dave Canales was the club’s newest sideline leader. The team got off to a miserable 0-2 start, outscored a combined 73-13 in losses to the Saints (47-10) and Chargers (26-3). Quarterback Bryce Young had his issues in those setbacks and was benched by Canales.

Enter veteran Andy Dalton in Week 3, who promptly helped the team defeat the Raiders, 36-22, at Las Vegas. Dalton would go on to start the next four games as well before a right thumb injury (suffered in a car accident) opened the door for Young’s return.

Bryce Youn
Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) exits the field during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Late in the third quarter on Sunday at MetLife Stadium vs. the New York Jets, Young was sacked and would not return to the game. He suffered a right ankle injury, and Dalton entered a game for the third time this season. Canales’s club was nursing a 13-3 lead, and Dalton would complete four of his seven throws for 60 yards. He was sacked once, but he and second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette would combine for a 33-yard gain in the fourth quarter—the Panthers’ longest play from scrimmage in a 13-6 victory.

As for Carolina’s next assignment, the reigning AFC East champions Buffalo Bills will be in Charlotte this coming Sunday. If Young is unable to go, that means Dalton gets his first start of 2025. It also means that the Panthers’ offense won’t be making any significant changes in terms of philosophy.

The 4-3 Panthers are riding a three-game winning streak, and their ground game has been exceptional during this stretch. While Carolina rolled up so-so 125 yards on the ground vs. the Jets, Canales’ team is averaging 193.3 yards per game on the ground these past three outings. Perhaps more significantly, the Panthers have totaled at least 30 running plays in three consecutive contests.

On Sunday, the 1-2 punch of Rico Dowdle (17-79) and Chuba Hubbard (14-31) combined for 31 carries for 110 yards. Be it Young or Dalton, Canales will likely look to take advantage of a Buffalo defense giving up 156.3 yards per game on the ground this season.

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.