The NFL is always full of twists and turns. That’s true even for a 15-year veteran such as quarterback Andy Dalton.
Speaking publicly for the first time about his offseason trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dalton addressed how taken aback he was with the deal from the Carolina Panthers.
“It was a little bit of a surprise. I didn’t really know what was going to happen,” said Dalton to reporters on Tuesday. “Normally, every other time it’s been free agency where I’ve gotten to choose where I’m going.
“I’m excited to be here. Good to be part of a great organization, and organization that understands winning.”
In 2026, Dalton is entering his 16th year in the league. He’s played for five different organizations. The Eagles will be his sixth team of the past eight years.
Since primarily becoming a backup quarterback, Dalton is 14-22 as a starter with 50 touchdowns and 33 interceptions in 46 games.
Andy Dalton Shares Reaction to Eagles-Panthers Trade
GettyNew Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton addressed his offseason trade from the Carolina Panthers.
There’s really been two chapters to Dalton’s career.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected the quarterback nicknamed “the Red Rifle” at No. 35 overall in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. In Cincinnati, he replaced Carson Palmer and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. From 2012-15, he led the Bengals to the playoffs every year, winning at least 10 contests each regular season.
Dalton made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and then again in 2016 despite posting a losing record. The Bengals, though, never got back to contending for a playoff spot with Dalton after 2015. The team bottomed out in 2019 with a 2-14 record and then drafted Joe Burrow.
In 2020, Dalton began the second part of his NFL career as a journeyman backup. He spent a year each with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints before landing a permanent backup role with the Panthers.
“It’s definitely a different role,” Dalton told reporters Tuesday. “But the way you go about the week and the way you prepare, it’s all the same.
“Fortunately for me, I have a process of how I handle the week, how I watch my film, how I get ready, prepare, study the game plan, all the things. None of that changes.”
His process helped young quarterback Bryce Young with the Panthers. Dalton’s role will change again with the Eagles.
Although pundits expect him to be the QB2 again, Dalton will be a sounding board for Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts rather than pure mentor.
Dalton Sharing Second-Team Reps With Tanner McKee at Training Camp
GettyPundits expect Andy Dalton to serve as the primary backup to Jalen Hurts this season.
Quarterbacks with Dalton’s level of experience don’t really need a lot of training camp repetitions. That’s generally true even when changing teams.
As a result, the Eagles have been able to split second-team quarterback snaps between Dalton and 26-year-old Tanner McKee.
“Both getting a chance to be out there with the twos, and next day you’re with the threes,” Dalton said of the shared opportunities. “I think it’s been good for both of us.”
Dalton emphasized that he feels comfortable with Sean Mannion’s offense. The veteran compared the system to the one he played in for a year under Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
There’s always a chance McKee pushes Dalton for the backup role. But the Eagles didn’t trade for Dalton for him to be the QB3.
More than likely, Dalton will provide his steady, veteran presence as Hurts’ backup.
Last season, Dalton made one start, which was a loss. He went 1-6 as a starter with the Panthers over three years.
The prior three seasons, though, with much better rosters, Dalton posted a 13-16 record as a starter with the Cowboys, Bears and Saints.
Andy Dalton Breaks Silence on Offseason Trade to Eagles