Earlier this week, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll praised Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Now Carroll’s team officially no longer has to play against the first overall pick in the draft, who is out with an ankle injury.
On Friday, Carroll was asked if replacing Young with veteran Andy Dalton changes the defensive game plan.
“We saw him and knew him well,” Carroll said of Dalton. “[We] respect him, [and] all for all the obvious reasons. Maybe something changed, they would make the young guy who was out there playing more of a runner. It will be a little different in that respect, but I’m sure that’s how it will be [have] the same offense. They have a great style and scheme and I’m sure they wouldn’t give that up.”
The Seahawks last saw Dalton a year ago. In his second start for the Saints, Dalton led New Orleans to a 39-32 victory over the Seahawks. Carroll and Co. previously faced Dalton in the first game of the 2019 season. Although Seattle beat Cincinnati 21-20, Dalton threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 1 game in Seattle.
In 2015, Dalton and the Bengals defeated the Seahawks 27-24. in Cincinnati. Dalton had 331 passing yards. As a rookie in 2011, Dalton led a 34-12 victory over the Seahawks in Seattle.
Overall, Dalton is 3-1 against Carroll’s Seahawks. So, yes, they would be wise to respect what he can do against the Seattle defensive system that Carroll has employed since taking over the team in 2010.