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Big Panthers QB Move for 2025 Already in the Works

One Carolina Panthers quarterback has already gone on public record with his thoughts on returning with the team in 2025.

By Jason Schandl

Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) on the sidelines in the fourth qarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) on the sidelines in the fourth qarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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The Carolina Panthers quarterback situation has been a roller coaster in 2024. It looked baffling to bench Bryce Young. Then the offense looked much better with Andy Dalton, suggesting Young was the problem. Then a car accident for Dalton led to Young getting another shot. Now Young suddenly looks like he might be the long-term answer at the position.

It's a lot to keep up with, and it has to be mentally difficult for both Young and Dalton. Neither guy wants to ride the bench. Neither guy wants to lose his shot at continuing his NFL career as a starter. But neither guy is even remotely guaranteed another starting job anywhere if they can't perform this year. And it's created a whole lot of ambiguity around the position for 2025.

With that in mind, Andy Dalton opened up about his feelings on potentially continuing his career as a Panther in 2025 in an interview with Joe Person of The Athletic, and he even revealed some info on his talks with the team about the situation. The Panthers clearly have a plan in mind.

Panthers Rumors: Andy Dalton Weighs in on Future With Team

Andy Dalton has revealed that he "has had discussions with the Panthers about his future." That's obviously not a very definitive statement, but consider that he also would "love to be back." And consider how many glowing things he had to say in the article about backing up young. He raved about things like "enjoying watching Bryce go out and play the way he’s playing since he’s been back out there."

Does Dalton want a chance to start? Absolutely he does. But he's also been around the NFL long enough to know that nobody is bringing him on as a starter. The ideal role for a guy like Dalton, who has taken the perfect professional approach to a wild 2024 season, is as a mentor for a developing young quarterback.

And while he didn't mention how those discussions have gone, in what world would the Panthers not be interested in bringing him back? Whether they roll with Young or draft a quarterback as a hopeful new franchise cornerstone, the need for a mentor like Dalton remains the same.

What more could you ask for than someone who is just as excited about supporting a developing young QB as he is about playing himself and who is also capable of getting out there and running the offense as the starter if the need arises?

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