Frank Reich: ‘No Golden Rule’ About Swapping Quarterbacks

Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich downplayed the significance of Andy Dalton’s usage on fourth-downs on Monday night.

Andy Dalton came in to replace Bryce Young on two short-yardage reps during the loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Rookie Bryce Young is already under pressure. He has the lowest passing yards per attempt (4.2) throughout a quarterback’s first two NFL games. The fourth-down switcheroo called into question the 5-foot-10, 204 pound Young’s ability to withstand the physicality of the league.

Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?

Sign up now!

However, Frank Reich says limiting Young’s exposure to taking big hits shouldn’t be a talking point.

“There’s a lot of different things we could do, but I just feel very comfortable in Andy,” said Frank Reich. 

“And some of those things you just want to limit the exposure of Bryce to — and Bryce can do any of it, but you’ve got an experienced veteran.

“There’s no golden rule that says he can’t come in and play a couple plays in the game. I mean, look at what the Saints do. I know Taysom Hill’s a different story. But why not do that to a lesser extent if it can be utilized in a positive way?”

Read: Bryce Young Has Lowest Yards Per Attempt Through First Two Games

“That’s not unprecedented by any stretch of the imagination,” Reich added. “We had Jacoby Brissett, we brought him in on some short-yardage situations.”

Following Young’s slow start to life in the NFL, Reich says the whole offense has to click for him to flourish.

“I can tell you this, certainly our struggle on offense, it’s not one person. Again, we’ll look at the film, but I thought Bryce did some really positive things, made some plays with his feet, made some good decisions, made good throws, showed plenty of things that we want to see, so I was encouraged by that.”