Panthers GM says QB Andy Dalton is “the starter right now” heading into season for Panthers
The Carolina Panthers recently signed who they believe will be their QB of the future, but that future may have to wait.
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer told PFT’s Mike Florio that despite drafting Alabama QB Bryce Young, the team is planning to go with QB Andy Dalton under center — for the moment, at least.
Here is what Fitterer said about Young and Dalton:
“We went out and signed Andy Dalton for a reason. He played as a rookie. He’s got a lot of experience. He understands his role and he can play good football. If Andy’s the guy to start the season, and he’s the starter right now heading into the season, then he’ll be the guy. When Bryce is ready or Matt Corral is ready whoever it may be, that’ll be the time they go in. We say it’s open competition, but Frank did say, ‘Hey, Andy’s he’s our guy right now. He’ll walk into the season as the starter and then as you know, the young guys compete underneath him, then they’ll go in when they’re ready.”
Of course, much of this talk could be a simple smokescreen for other teams in the division and onward. If Fitterer is serious, though, it could be a continuation of Tampa Bay’s showdowns with Dalton — the Bucs faced off against him in December of 2022 when he played for the Saints and defeated him 17-16.
There is also a possibility, though, that Fitterer is simply preparing to sing praises of Young in camp and award him the starting job. Whatever happens, the Bucs will look to be ready to face off against whoever is under center in Carolina in 2023.
