Lea: The Panthers have found their quarterback of 2024. Still searching for QB of the future.
Posted September 22, 2024 9:14 p.m. EDT
Updated September 23, 2024 8:49 a.m. EDT
So that is what the Carolina Panthers are supposed to look like.
Dave Canales has been known as the 'quarterback whisperer' after getting credit for reviving the careers of Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith. He was hired as the Carolina Panthers head coach to get Bryce Young's career started after a bad rookie season. Canales has failed at that so far, but after Sunday, he may be the one to revive Andy Dalton's career.
Sunday's 36-22 road win at Las Vegas is one of the better seven day turnaround jobs you'd ever see. The difference was a switch at quarterback.
Dalton was 26-37 passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
In one game.
Young threw for 245 yards between two games. He also didn't have a single passing touchdown in the first two games, while Dalton casually comes in to throw for three.
This was a level of competency that we haven't seen from the Carolina Panthers since Steve Wilks was named the interim head coach in 2022 after Matt Rhule was fired.
It was the first time the Panthers had a road win since 2022.
It was the first time the Panthers scored on their opening drive since 2022.
It was also the first time the Panthers has a 100-yard rusher, 100-yard receiver and 300-yard passer in the same game since 2022.
All three of happened in the back half of 2022 when Wilks was at the helm after Rhule's dismissal.
With these facts in mind, it exposes the elephant in the room.
Bryce Young is not ready to be a number one quarterback in the NFL. I'll stop short of saying he's a bust or that he will never be a number one quarterback because it seems like recent Panthers signal-callers go elsewhere and start winning (Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield).
This is also the first time the Panthers had a 300 yard passer since Dalton did it in Week 3 last season.
In the short-term, the Panthers have found their 'QB1' and he happens to turn 37 this year which is old in the NFL. His name is Andrew Gregory Dalton.
The organization and Panthers fans might be able to enjoy a few more wins this season behind the experience of Dalton, but what is the future at quarterback for this franchise? It's the same question that's been asked since Cam Newton was shown the door after the 2019 season. To have long-term, sustained success, the Panthers must have a secure situation at quarterback. While this win will feel great, it just kicks the can down the road a bit, while the same QB dark cloud looms over 800 South Mint Street in Charlotte.
Will Bryce Young get it right in a Panthers uniform? Will he be in a Panthers uniform much longer? Are the Panthers looking to draft a quarterback again in 2025?
These are the important questions.
But for now, enjoy the Krispy Kreme donuts and the vibes. Victory Monday's are rare around these parts.
