Philadelphia Eagles Acquire Andy Dalton
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired backup quarterback Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers will receive a 2027 seventh-round pick in return for the veteran signal-caller. The trade is currently pending a physical examination for Dalton.
The Eagles have added veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Player Profile: Andy Dalton
Dalton, 38, will be entering his 16th NFL season and his fourth as a backup. He has spent most of the past three seasons on the bench behind Bryce Young.
During his tenure with Carolina, Dalton recorded a 1-6 record in seven starts. In his sole start in 2025, he threw for 175 yards, was sacked seven times, and committed three turnovers. This performance came during a 40-9 home defeat to the Buffalo Bills. Dalton is set to turn 39 in October.
In his time with Carolina, Andy Dalton posted a 1-6 record as a starter, including a challenging 2025 outing where he threw for 175 yards and committed three turnovers.
Panthers' Rationale and Cap Savings
The Panthers had made Dalton available for trade last month, signaling their intent to move on. The team recently acquired Kenny Pickett in free agency to serve as the backup to Bryce Young, fulfilling their need for a secondary quarterback.
General Manager Dan Morgan had previously indicated the team's preference for a younger, more athletic quarterback to back up Young. The trade also resulted in a cap space saving of $2.1 million for the Panthers. This saving is notably more significant than the $151,000 they would have realized by simply releasing Dalton before June 1.
Eagles Bolster Quarterback Depth
Dalton will join Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee on the Eagles' quarterback depth chart. McKee has one year remaining on his rookie contract, while Dalton's contract is set to expire after the 2026 season.
The Eagles have historically emphasized the importance of the No. 2 quarterback role, famously citing their Super Bowl victory with backup Nick Foles. With Jalen Hurts having missed five starts due to injury over five years, the addition of Dalton provides the Eagles with an experienced backup option. Dalton previously worked with Eagles quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier in Carolina, suggesting a familiar fit.
While Dalton's $3.9 million salary is notable for a third-string quarterback, the acquisition is not immediately viewed as a precursor to trading McKee, who remains the team's QB2. This move continues General Manager Howie Roseman's consistent strategy of maintaining robust quarterback depth.
Emphasizing their Super Bowl success with a backup, the Eagles add Andy Dalton for experienced depth behind Jalen Hurts, who has missed five starts in five years.