“I’ve been around guys. I think Andy Dalton’s got a special character to him and understanding of this offense,” Whitworth recalled saying. “We’ve gotta buckle down and just play with this guy as our quarterback, and we’re gonna be a lot better than you guys think.”

On Sunday, the team will roll out quarterback Andy Dalton under center—going ahead with their sudden switch from previous starter and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. Head coach Dave Canales was asked how the unit has looked at practice with the 14th-year veteran now at the helm.

Said Ezekiel Elliott, who watched Andy Dalton step up in Dallas: “It didn’t matter if he was getting hit, taking it in the face. He stayed level-headed.”