Andy Dalton Finally Gets His Chance to Play for Frank Reich

Some insight on the veteran quarterback's decision to sign with Carolina.

This isn't the first time Andy Dalton has attempted to link up with Frank Reich. In fact, he's been interested in doing so for quite a while. The Colts had a reolving door at quarterback during Reich's tenure and Dalton considered playing for him each of the last three years. This year, he gets to finally do so as the mentor/bridge to whomever the Panthers take with the first overall pick in this year's draft.

"Going into this free agency and some of the free agencies in previous years, I felt like I've tried to play for Frank a couple times. The timing just hasn't worked out," Dalton said. "But when Frank got the job and he was building the staff and Josh McCown got the quarterback coach position, I was like, man that would be a really cool place to be. Just previous relationship with him, Frank, and a lot of these guys. I was hoping it could work out and I could be here in Carolina. I'm happy that it all happened the way it did and get to be part of this thing."

Coming to Carolina isn't just about playing for Reich, though, obviously. It's to win football games and help this franchise take that step toward being relevant in the NFC and potentially bring home a Super Bowl - something both he and the organization have yet to accomplish.

"I think what we're building, not only from a coaching staff standpoint but also the players that we brought in to add to the group that was already here, I feel like we've done some really good things and have built the roster that is ready to go. And we haven't even hit the draft yet, so we're going to add a couple more pieces which will fit in for the environment and culture that we're creating here."

Why does Dalton believe the Panthers can compete right away? Well, I mean, just look at the division. 

"I think nobody wanted to win the division last year the way it was going. So yeah, kind of where this division's at, I mean there's not one frontrunner that everybody's going to talk about and say this is the team that's probably going to be a lock for the South. That puts every team in a position where they think that they can take this division. If you get on a roll, that gives you a chance to get into the playoffs and to make a run at it."

The coaching staff and front office didn't necessarily lay out a plan for how Dalton will be used this upcoming season. A lot of that will depend on how quickly the rookie quarterback comes along. If he needs a few weeks to sit and learn, then Dalton will hold the keys to the offense temporarily. 

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