The Eagles agreed to terms Wednesday on a trade that sends a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Dalton, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Dalton brings substantial veteran experience to the table as a new backup option behind Jalen Hurts, and his arrival could signify that Philadelphia is engaging in trade talks surrounding Tanner McKee, as Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports. In 2025, Dalton logged four regular-season appearances with the Panthers (one start), in which span he completed 68 percent of his pass attempts for 293 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Since entering the league in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the 38-year-old signal-caller has totaled 169 regular-season starts.
The Panthers have reportedly been getting calls about Dalton regarding a potential trade, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Dalton has one more year left on his deal with Carolina, but as David Newton of ESPN.com suggests, moving the veteran signal caller could make sense for the team, considering GM Dan Morgan indicated Tuesday that Dalton would have to compete for the backup job (behind Bryce Young) with a younger QB to be added through free agency or the draft. Dalton drew just one start during four regular-season appearances with the Panthers in 2025, but overall, the 38-year-old, who entered the NFL as a second-round pick by the Bengals in 2011, has 169 regular-season starts to his credit.
Dalton completed 25 of 37 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown and one interception across four regular-season appearances during the 2025 season. Dalton made one start in place of an injured Bryce Young in Week 8 against the Bills but guided the offense to just nine points in a 40-9 blowout loss. Dalton will turn 39 years old later this year and is under contract through the 2026 campaign at a reasonable $3.9 million salary. He should be back as Young's backup next season.