Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is competing with Bryce Young for the Carolina Panthers’ starter’s job – and making it clear he won’t give up the position without a fight.

With the first pick in the 2023 draft, the Carolina Panthers selected quarterback Bryce Young. The former Alabama playmaker is joined on the roster by veteran Andy Dalton – who still sees himself leading the team onto the field as the team’s number one quarterback.

“I see myself as a starter in this league. I don’t think there are 32 quarterbacks better than me,” Dalton is quoted as saying by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Panthers QB Dalton comes off as confident

And continued, “But that’s the situation I’m in and I understand that. As soon as I don’t think I’m in the top 32 or a little bit below, I’ll watch football on TV.”

Just under a month and a half ago, there were reports that Dalton was getting a bigger share of the training sessions with the first team. But this was probably for the reason that Young would be brought in slowly first.

The longtime Bengals playmaker has plenty of praise for head coach Frank Reich, who was fired by the Indianapolis Colts during last season and is now in charge of the Panthers.

Carolina Panthers: Dalton assures Young of support

“I’m in a really good situation here. Frank Reich played until he was 38. He was a backup. He understands the continuity it takes in the quarterback room. Josh McCown played until he was 40,” the 35-year-old said.

Even if Dalton won’t lead the Panthers onto the field as a starter for the season opener in mid-September, he’s apparently not unhappy with his role. “I have confidence in myself as a player. Not many people can say, ‘This is the 13th year in the NFL,’ and I feel good about where I am. It’s fun to be in this position and help the next generation of quarterbacks,” Dalton makes clear.

Young should therefore be sure of the support of his colleague, who signed with Carolina for two years and around ten million euros.