Six days after benching the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers secured their first win of the season with veteran Andy Dalton leading the team to victory. Dalton’s impact was immediate, as the Panthers scored on their opening drive and went on to put up 437 total yards of offense, with Dalton finishing 26-37 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. This was a stark contrast to their first two games with Bryce Young at quarterback, where they only managed to score a total of 13 points.
The win over the Las Vegas Raiders marked the first time the Panthers had scored 30 points in a game since the previous year, highlighting the impact of Dalton’s presence on the offense. Despite facing a Raiders defense that had struggled in the early part of the season, the Panthers displayed a level of competency and explosiveness that had been lacking in their previous games. Head coach Dave Canales made the tough decision to bench Young after reviewing game film and determining it was the best move for the team, ultimately leading to a much-needed victory.
While the Panthers have not permanently moved on from Young, the win with Dalton at the helm has bought Canales some breathing room as a first-year head coach. With the organization known for having a short leash on head coaches, Canales understood the importance of getting a win to boost morale and potentially secure his standing with the team. The decision to bench Young was a calculated risk, but one that paid off in the form of a much-needed victory for the Panthers.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will now focus on their Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals as they aim to build on the momentum from their first win of the season. Canales will need to navigate the quarterback situation carefully, balancing the development of Young with the need to win games in a competitive NFL landscape. For more updates on the Panthers and their quarterback situation, fans can visit Newsweek Sports for the latest news and insights on the team’s performance.
