The Carolina Panthers named Andy Dalton their starting quarterback after deciding to bench Bryce Young following an 0-2 start to the season. Dalton will take over the starting position while Young backs him up.

Read more from Newsweek Sports: Panthers surprisingly bench Bryce Young after 2 weeks of the 2024 season

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Dalton currently gives the team the best chance of winning.

Read more: Panthers HC Dave Canales explains decision to bench Bryce Young

“Andy gives us the best chance to advance,” Canales said on Monday.

Canales declined to say whether Dalton will start the rest of the season, but he will be prepared for the Panthers’ Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The decision to start the veteran quarterback came after Young continued to struggle in the first two games of his sophomore season. Young has yet to throw a touchdown pass in two games and the offense has scored just 13 points to start the year. On Sunday, Young managed just 84 yards on 18 successful passes.

Dalton is “excited” to take over the starting job for the Panthers, an opportunity that doesn’t necessarily come easy. Dalton was originally selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

“When I came here, I wasn’t sure if I would get the chance to start over again. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited about what lies ahead,” Dalton said.

Dalton, who was once benched on his birthday, understands that it is a difficult situation for Young and everyone involved.

“It’s a difficult situation. I’ve been through both sides and it’s tough for everyone,” Dalton said. “But I’m looking forward to it.”

The Red Rifle will look to capitalize on his second chance to start for the Panthers since joining the team ahead of the 2023 NFL season. After starting his career by leading the Bengals to the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, Dalton slowly slipped into the role of backup quarterback.

Dalton played his final season in Cincinnati in 2019 when the Bengals went 2-11 before signing Joe Burrow the following spring. Since then, he has become a veteran quarterback but has started several games while filling in for injured quarterbacks before joining the Panthers.

Dalton started nine games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, six games for the Chicago Bears in 2021 and 14 games for the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

With Dalton at the helm, the Panthers will look to earn their first win of the season. The Saints and Los Angeles Chargers have scored 60 more points than Carolina in their first two games of the season, but the Panthers will look to improve on the 1-1 Riders.

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