A week ago, Andy Dalton was a 36-year-old backup quarterback for the worst team in football tasked with mentoring last year’s top pick while Bryce Young slogged through a disastrous start to his second season.
Dalton had bounced between five teams in five years. He had 263 NFL starts to his name. He seriously doubted if he’d see a 264th.
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Then came Monday morning, and everything changed. Panthers coach Dave Canales pulled Dalton aside. Young was heading to the bench, Canales told him, and he was heading into the huddle.