14-year veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has signed a new contract with the Carolina Panthers. Dalton, a former second-round pick, spent the 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers but has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints.
The #Panthers are signing QB Andy Dalton to a new 2-year, $8M deal, keeping him in Carolina, per @AdamSchefter. Dalton was scheduled to be a free agent next month, but now sticks as the backup to Bryce Young. pic.twitter.com/zuMp03iOhV
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 18, 2025
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers, Agree to Contract
2024 was an eventful year for Dalton, as the longtime veteran saw a decent amount of playing time despite entering the season as a backup. Taking over for an ineffective Bryce Young, Dalton made five starts, going 1-4 while completing 66.3% of his passes for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions. While he appeared to have a strong grip on the starting job, Dalton lost the position after getting in a car crash. Young reclaimed the job and never looked back, finishing the season on a high note while looking like a first-overall pick.
Andy Dalton originally entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals, the TCU product immediately earned the starting job while former franchise quarterback Carson Palmer held out for a trade. Starting in all 16 games, the rookie guided the team to an unlikely playoff appearance, completing 58.1% of his passes for 3,398 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Dalton continued to provide solid play, guiding Cincinnati to the playoffs in each of the next four seasons. His best play came in 2015 when he went 10-3 in 13 starts while completing 66.1% of his passes for 3,250 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury that sidelined him for the final three weeks of the regular season and their lone playoff game.
Following a few underwhelming seasons, Cincinnati cut Dalton once they had the opportunity to land LSU’s Joe Burrow. Since then, Dalton has bounced around the league, making pit stops as a high-end backup and bridge quarterback.
Since signing his rookie contract, Andy Dalton has appeared in 175 games while making 168 starts. While on the field, the veteran completed 62.6% of his passes for 39,500 yards, 253 touchdowns, and 150 interceptions.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
