Former Cowboys QB Suddenly Starting for NFC Trainwreck in Week 3
While the Dallas Cowboys have had Dak Prescott as their (usually) unquestioned QB1 since 2016, he's certainly not the only player to get run at the position during that time. Seven other quarterbacks have taken snaps under center, though only three of those seven have started a game.
One of those three is still on the team, as Cooper Rush continues to back up Prescott. Another, Ben DiNucci, will likely never start again and hasn't played a single NFL snap since leaving the Cowboys after the 2020 season.
But the other just officially became an NFL starting quarterback again.
Sources: The #Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and starting veteran Andy Dalton beginning this week.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2024
Coach Dave Canales has repeatedly said “Bryce is our quarterback.” But with the season quickly slipping away, Canales decided to make a change. pic.twitter.com/jTYawQCi2C
Cowboys News: Andy Dalton Starting for Panthers
The Carolina Panthers announced the benching of draft bust Bryce Young on Monday after they started a very ugly 0-2, and that has made Andy Dalton the new starting quarterback in Carolina.
Dalton played for the Cowboys in 2020, making nine starts in place of Dak, who missed most of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.
It was a fine showing from Dalton, who had just lost the Cincinnati Bengals starting job to then-rookie Joe Burrow. He had 14 touchdowns with 8 interceptions, throwing for 2,170 yards on 333 attempts. Unfortunately the Cowboys needed more than a game managing veteran, and went just 4-5 in those nine starts.
Dalton has made at least one start in each of the last three seasons since then, and now it will be four in a row. He hasn't found any more success, however, earning a combined 9-12 record while throwing for 4,747 yard, 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on 672 attempts.
The long-time veteran might be a fine game manager, but the Panthers are basically drawing dead to make the playoffs already, and the Red Rifle isn't going to change that.
FanDuel Sportsbook already has the Panthers as massive +1800 underdogs to even make the playoffs this year.
Dalton may not have been a Cowboys for long, or had the success fans would have hoped in Dallas, but it's still always fun to see a familiar face getting some run. And if Dalton starts all season, we'll actually get a reunion. The Panthers are set to host the Cowboys in Week 15.
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