This week, we’re only talking about Andy Dalton.

Yep, the middle-aged quarterback who, in Week 3, went 26-37, 319 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 picks. Unheard of.

Dalton was the first quarterback this season to throw for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and zero turnovers. It’s Week 3, and the only guy in the NFL to do that so far is Andy Dalton.

Let that sink in.

Now, I’ve got three takeaways from watching Dalton play that I think are not only lessons for quarterbacks but for anyone who’s paying attention to the game.

First, let’s talk about his career. Andy Dalton’s first five seasons in Cincinnati were special.

After being drafted in the second round and replacing my brother, Carson Palmer, he led the Bengals to five straight playoff appearances, made multiple Pro Bowls, and signed a massive contract.

He was "the guy" in Cincy. Then, as happens in the NFL, things changed.

The Bengals moved on, and Dalton became a journeyman, bouncing between Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans, and now, in his second year with the Carolina Panthers.

Last week, the Panthers made the bold move to bench Bryce Young.

And while not many people are paying attention to Carolina, the football world was certainly asking: is Bryce Young the problem, or is it the team around him?

I don’t have a definitive answer to that question, but I do know one thing for sure—Andy Dalton just played the best game any quarterback has played this season, and he did it on the road against the Raiders.

Your Life Off the Field Mirrors Your Play On It

When you bench the number one overall pick after two games, it signals that nothing is going right.

The Panthers don’t have elite wide receiver talent, the O-line is shaky, and the whole situation is a mess.

Yet, Dalton walked into this storm, stayed calm, and delivered an absolute clinic.

That speaks volumes about who he is as a professional and a leader.

A Life Of Consistency

I tell quarterbacks all the time: if your personal life is a mess, your game will reflect that.

And if your life is dialed in—consistent, disciplined, trustworthy—your play will show that, too. Dalton’s life is rock solid.

Married for over a decade, three kids, a faith-based foundation, and no off-field drama. It’s no wonder he can step into chaos and play his best football.

A Dependable Reputation

Dalton’s career has been defined by consistency. He’s not flashy, and he’s not chasing headlines.

But time and again, when called upon, he’s ready to deliver.

This is a guy who’s built a reputation on being dependable, and in a league that can be wildly unpredictable, that matters more than people realize.

If there’s one thing young quarterbacks and fans alike can learn from Dalton, it’s this: how you live your life will always show up in how you play the game.

And for Andy Dalton, that means he’s still winning, even in the toughest situations.

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Preparation Is Everything: The Backup’s Mentality

There’s a mantra I’ve been telling young quarterbacks for years: You can’t control when or where your opportunity will come, but you can control how prepared you are for it.

Whether you're a backup quarterback, redshirting in college, or sitting behind a veteran, this is one of the most critical lessons to learn.

Put Yourself In His Shoes

Now, let's put ourselves in Andy Dalton’s shoes.

This is a guy who came into camp knowing his role: mentor Bryce Young, take a few snaps in practice, and be ready if called upon.

There was no way Dalton or anyone else was preparing for him to become the starter just a few weeks into the season.

But that’s exactly what happened.

And the reality is, that’s how the NFL works. You never know when your moment is going to come.  

Preparation Goes Beyond The Physical Reps

Preparation is not just about physical reps.

Sure, we all love getting out there and throwing passes to our top receivers, building that chemistry.

But for guys like Dalton—who aren’t getting those reps—preparation takes on a whole new level of importance.

It’s about mental, emotional, and even spiritual readiness. You need to be ready to step in, no matter the situation, and perform like you’ve been in that starting role all along.

Dalton showed us exactly what that preparation looks like.

He stepped into a high-pressure situation—on the road, after a chaotic benching of a first-round pick, with little to no reps in practice—and played like a seasoned starter.

The chemistry he had with Adam Thielen and the rest of the receiving corps wasn’t built over weeks of camp, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way he performed.

He was ready—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Be Ready For Your Moment

How do you prepare for something that might never happen? That’s the question backup quarterbacks ask themselves all the time.

The answer lies in consistency.

Dalton didn’t get many reps in the preseason, but he still prepared like he was the guy.

He didn’t have many opportunities to connect with his receivers in practice, but he still spent time studying film, working through routes mentally, and staying sharp.

This is a mindset every quarterback needs to adopt.

Be ready for when your moment comes, even if it’s completely unexpected.

When the opportunity arises, you want to be prepared—not scrambling to catch up. That’s what separates the good from the great.

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When a Backup Becomes "The Guy"

The third thing I always tell backup quarterbacks—whether in high school, college, or the NFL—is that there’s a responsibility shift when you go from holding the clipboard to being on the field.

When you’re a backup, there are typically two scenarios that lead you into the game: either you’re going in temporarily, or you’re going in permanently.

Let’s break this down.

When It’s Temporary

If you're going in temporarily, it’s usually because the starter is hurt and can’t finish the game, or it’s a blowout.

Maybe your team is up by 30, or maybe you're down by 30. Either way, you’re not taking the reins of the team permanently.

You know you’re stepping in, doing your job for a short period, and then, most likely, heading back to the bench.

There's less pressure in these moments because everyone knows the situation is temporary.

The Permanent Scenario

But the second scenario, when you're going in permanently, that's a whole different ballgame.

This is when the starter gets benched, or worse, suffers a long-term or season-ending injury.

Suddenly, you're not just stepping into the game—you're stepping into the role as the guy.

This comes with a ton of responsibility, mentally and emotionally, that often gets overlooked.

A Real Example

Last season, when Joe Burrow got hurt versus the Ravens and couldn't finish the game, Jake Browning came in.

Browning had to go from being the backup to being the starting quarterback for the Bengals, just like that.

The realization that you’re no longer just filling in for a few plays, but instead taking over the offense for the foreseeable future, can be overwhelming.

It’s a lifestyle change, a mental shift, and an emotional hurdle all at once.

What makes this transition so tough is that it’s not just about executing the next play. It’s about the weight of all the plays moving forward.

You’re suddenly the leader of the team. The offense moves through you. The media, the fans, the coaches—they’re all looking to you.

This is why it’s so impressive when someone like Jake Browning steps into that role and delivers.

And it’s the same reason Andy Dalton’s situation with the Panthers is so significant.

After they benched Bryce Young, Dalton wasn’t just filling in temporarily. He took over as the guy, with the knowledge that this could be a longer-term gig.

He didn’t just handle the physical aspect of the game—he handled the emotional and mental load of knowing he’s now responsible for the offense moving forward.

Poise and Experience

That responsibility shift is hard.

It’s not just about being ready to throw a few passes—it’s about being ready to lead the team, knowing it’s your job now.

This is exactly why Andy Dalton’s performance was so remarkable.

Dalton is showing the maturity, leadership, and poise that come with years of experience.

Because of that, I actually believe the Panthers are about to play their best football in years.

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