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Andy Dalton 'thankful' for opportunity to start for Panthers

Dalton, who is in his 14th NFL season, will lead the Panthers against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday after Bryce Young's benching.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With former No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young heading to the bench after Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Dave Canales will turn to veteran backup Andy Dalton to get his first NFL win as a head coach. 

Dalton, who joined the Panthers in 2023, has started one game since signing with the Panthers. He completed 34-of-58 passes for 361 yards and 2 touchdowns against Seattle in a 37-27 loss in a spot start while Young was injured. He's appeared in two regular season games since, including the season opener against New Orleans. 

"For me, it's like I'm fired up, I'm pumped," Dalton told reporters on Monday. "I get a chance to do what I've done my whole career and just really looking forward to it." 

The three-time Pro Bowler says he's thankful to get another chance at starting after sitting on the bench all of last season. 

"It's definitely a different perspective," Dalton shared. "You didn't get all the OTA reps, things were kind of set up for somebody else, training camp, all of that. But I think at this point in my career, I'm just thankful for an opportunity, I wasn't sure if I was gonna get it again."

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Dalton spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Cowboys in 2020. He also played for Chicago and New Orleans, struggling to find a role he was comfortable with before signing with the Panthers in 2023. 

Head coach Dave Canales said he would view the situation week-to-week, but said Dalton gives Carolina the "best chance to win" right now. As for Young, Canales hopes he uses this as a learning opportunity. Last year's No. 1 pick has played with very little poise and confidence that were hallmarks of his college career at Alabama. 

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