NFL

Panthers name Andy Dalton starting quarterback

Bryce Young’s NFL journey isn’t over — heck, he’ll probably start more games for the Panthers — but the 2023 No. 1 overall pick is shaping up to be a bust. It’s not all that difficult to figure out how we got here. Carolina traded a bounty to the Bears for the right to draft Young — over C.J. Stroud — and has a decimated roster around the 23-year-old as a result. It’ll take time for Dan Morgan to rebuild the team, but Young probably won’t last with the Panthers long enough to bare the fruits of an improved supporting cast.

This benching isn’t solely due to failed roster building, however. Young has been dreadful through one-plus season as a pro, and hasn’t looked at all like a starting-caliber quarterback. Through two games in 2024, Young has thrown for just 245 yards and zero touchdowns. To make matters worse, the Panthers’ passer has three interceptions and an 8.9 QBR. 8.9! Carolina should and will sit Young for at least a few weeks to give him a reprieve and an eventual restart.

In the meantime, the 36-year-old Dalton will take over. Don’t expect much to change for the Panthers in terms of wins and losses, but perhaps Carolina will at least look like a professional football team with Dalton under center. The veteran wasn’t too bad with the Panthers last season, as he threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns across three games.

Broncos OT Mike McGlinchey out for four weeks with MCL sprain

All eyes have been on Bo Nix’s struggles through two games, but Denver’s offensive line — save for McGlinchey — has gotten shellacked. Without their right tackle for about month, the Broncos’ bad offense will get even worse.

NCAAF

Michigan names Alex Orji starting quarterback

With a big conference opener versus USC ahead on Saturday, Sherrone Moore is making the right call in going with Orji over Davis Warren. Not only has Warren struggled to move the offense, the quarterback has tossed six interceptions through just three games. Orji probably isn’t going to elevate the Wolverines’ passing offense, but he’ll upgrade the rushing attack. Michigan’s offense needs all the dynamism it can get — Orji should provide some.