Andy Dalton Ready to Keep Panthers' Momentum Going in Place of Injured Bryce Young
As the Carolina Panthers continue to build momentum after a competitive start to the 2025 season, one man is stepping in to ensure that the momentum doesn't falter. That man is veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who will once again find himself in the starting role this Sunday, replacing the injured Bryce Young for the second time in as many years. But this time, things are different.
While last year’s situation was born out of necessity—Young’s struggles and Carolina’s blowout losses forced Dalton into the starting job—this year is a different story. Bryce Young has shown significant improvement, and the Panthers have become a much more competitive team. The offense is clicking, the defense is holding its ground, and expectations are starting to rise. Now, with Young nursing a high-ankle injury, Dalton finds himself charged with a different mission: to keep the team moving in the right direction.
"I think the talent that we have is a lot better," Dalton said during a press conference on Friday. "I think we’re comfortable with what we’re doing. I think we’ve experienced a lot so far and we can build off the momentum of where we’re at right now. At this point, I’m just trying to keep this thing going. We’ve just got to keep playing like we can play."
Dalton, who has seen it all over his 14-year career, understands the importance of stability, especially in times like these when a team is working hard to find its rhythm. The Panthers’ offense, under Young’s leadership, had already found its identity and become competitive. Now, Dalton’s challenge is to prevent any setbacks while Young recovers.
The official word from the Panthers is that Young is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. While there is a chance that Young could be cleared to play, the team has made it clear that Dalton will start. Furthermore, the Panthers plan to elevate Hendon Hooker, currently on the practice squad, to the active roster to back up Dalton.
For Dalton, stepping into the role once again has a familiar feel to it. He knows what it takes to keep an offense moving, and with the pieces Carolina has in place, he’s confident in his ability to do just that.
"It's about making sure we don’t lose the progress we’ve made," Dalton explained. "The talent is there, the coaches have done a great job, and we just need to keep playing the way we know we can."
The Panthers have shown glimpses of greatness this season, and with Dalton at the helm, they will look to build on that. Whether it’s through his veteran leadership, calm presence in the pocket, or ability to execute the game plan, Dalton’s role in this game is critical—not just for securing a win against the Buffalo Bills, but for maintaining the upward trajectory the Panthers have been on.
As Dalton said, the key is continuity: "We’ve just got to keep playing like we can play."
The Panthers' game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday will not only test the resilience of Dalton but also demonstrate how well the team can adapt to adversity. Panthers fans will be hoping that, like last year, Dalton can step up and lead the team to another victory, but this time, with even higher stakes.
'Do We Need More Women in Football?': Cam Newton Applauds Carlie Irsay-Gordon Amid Colts’ 7–1 Start
NFL ownership has long been a boys’ club, but a new era is quietly taking shape, led by women like Carlie Irsay-Gordon. Of the dozen female owners now holding significant power across franchises, few have made their presence felt quite like the Indianapolis Colts’ new CEO.
Since taking over following the passing of her father, Jim Irsay, in May 2025, Carlie has redefined what ownership looks like. Unlike nearly all her peers who prefer watching the game from a luxury suite, she’s on the sidelines, headset on, notepad in hand, listening to play calls and observing every strategic detail unfold.
Irsay-Gordon even attends meetings, questions decisions, and holds her football executives accountable out of the belief that leadership begins with understanding. And as it’s turned out, her approach has mirrored the Colts’ transformation on the field.
Under HC Shane Steichen, Indianapolis has soared to a 7-1 record, its best start in over a decade, and leads the NFL in total points (270) and scoring efficiency.
Daniel Jones, once written off in New York, has been reborn in blue and white, throwing 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions while guiding the league’s top-ranked offense. Even running back Jonathan Taylor is back to All-Pro form, while Michael Pittman Jr. continues to torment defenses with consistent brilliance.
For many, it is no coincidence that this resurgence began under Irsay-Gordon’s stewardship. And even ex-NFL MVP Cam Newton couldn’t help but take notice. On the recent episode of his
“I’ve been seeing Carlie make her presence felt — yes, very much so,”
The Panthers legend was honest enough to admit that he was initially hesitant to discuss her involvement over concerns of micromanagement. But he has since come to see it differently, thanks to the Colts’ unprecedented success.
This observation made Newton ask a question that’s echoing across the league: “Do we need more women in football?… Does a woman’s presence provide a different element to not just football, but to sports … a male-dominated commodity … that we probably didn’t even know we needed?”
He didn’t leave it rhetorical. “Women are more detailed, more organized, more sharp… And with the addition of Carlie Irsay-Gordon, she’s brought a different culture to the table… the culture has definitely shifted, for sure,”
As things stand, it’s hard to argue otherwise because the Colts just can’t stop winning and dominating their opponents. And at the heart of that, headset on and eyes locked in, is an owner in Carlie Irsay-Gordon who refuses to be a figurehead.
