The Carolina Panthers' No. 1 quarterback position was a lock to go to Bryce Young.

Did anyone actually believe Andy Dalton would be supported by the first overall pick?

For anyone seeking tangible evidence of the United States' fixation on gridiron, especially the all-consuming National Football League, cast your gaze over the developments unfurling in Charlotte. The Carolina Panthers' head honcho, Frank Reich, has stormed the headlines by ushering in the first pick of the draft, Bryce Young, as the principal quarterback.

There's no plausible reason to claim a Heisman Trophy victor as your opening draft selection only to consign him to the shadows, behind the figure of the aging Andy Dalton, already in his 35th year. Yet, in 2023, this non-event of a story has become the topic of conversation.

“It’s merely a progression,” Reich pronounced, “We allocated a couple of fortnights to observe Andy. His performance has persisted at a stellar standard. Our objective is simply to prepare our squad. The crux of everything revolves around our team's interests, hence this was merely a progression.”

“Concluding the previous week, I singled out Bryce and Andy for a discussion. I reminded them that, ‘This was part of our initial agreement. You're executing exactly as planned. We're going to execute this switch and advance forward,'” added Reich.

Andy Dalton's role was always destined to be that of a seasoned safeguard. This entire process could have been significantly more straightforward had Reich and the Panthers not dealt with the matter as if it were a well-guarded secret. Upon signing Dalton in March to a two-year, $11 million contract with $8 million secured, it was clear that Carolina needed a seasoned hand to guide their quarterback room, especially after the unsatisfactory outcomes with Cam Newton and Baker Mayfield. Yet, considering the team had the prime selection with the likes of Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson to choose from, and the advent of a new head coach who'd likely want his chosen protege at the helm, it was hardly clandestine that Dalton's role was purely nominal.

Reports have already circulated stating Young secured more first-team repetitions than Dalton in offseason drills, in spite of the Panthers listing Dalton for a role he was never destined to inhabit as the starting quarterback.

Dalton’s capacity as a backup for the Panthers is invaluable, particularly reflecting on the calamity the San Francisco 49ers encountered last season. They found themselves stranded with Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson after both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo succumbed to injuries. Keeping options open has always been a prudent strategy. Nonetheless, once Lance had clinched the role of the starter, the team took measures to secure Garoppolo as his deputy. Purdy and Johnson were essentially there by necessity, rather than by design.