Veteran Quarterback Andy Dalton Could Be Dealt By the Carolina Panthers This Offseason
The quarterback carousel is already spinning, and it hasn’t even hit March yet. Just when you thought the offseason couldn’t get any wilder, veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton has entered the chat.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Carolina Panthers have been fielding calls from teams interested in acquiring the 38-year-old backup. It’s not exactly shocking news if you’ve been paying attention to GM Dan Morgan’s recent comments about wanting a younger, more athletic backup behind Bryce Young.
The Dalton Dilemma: What’s He Worth?
Before we dive into potential destinations, let’s be real about what Carolina can expect in return. We’re not talking about a haul here. The Panthers would be lucky to snag a late-round pick, maybe a conditional seventh-rounder if they’re feeling generous. Dalton is 38, hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2022 with the Saints, and posted pedestrian numbers in limited action last season.
Still, any compensation beats cutting him outright, and there’s value in having a veteran presence who’s seen it all. Dalton has started 169 games in his career, made three Pro Bowls back in his Cincinnati heyday, and has carved out a nice living as a mentor and emergency starter over the past few years.
New York Jets: The Frank Reich Reunion Tour
This one writes itself. The Jets are a mess at quarterback, and they just hired Frank Reich as their offensive coordinator. Reich and Dalton worked together in Carolina in 2023, so there’s familiarity there.
The Jets aren’t taking a quarterback second overall in the draft, which means they’ll likely roll with Justin Fields for another year or grab a developmental prospect in the later rounds. Either way, Dalton makes sense.
If they draft someone like Garrett Nussmeier, Carson Beck, or Drew Allar, Dalton becomes the perfect veteran mentor. He’s done this before with Bryce Young and, ironically, with Fields himself back in Chicago. Worst-case scenario? Dalton serves as the bridge quarterback instead of Fields, which might actually be an upgrade given Fields’ inconsistency. Best-case scenario? He helps groom the next Jets franchise QB while keeping the clipboard warm.
Las Vegas Raiders: The Perfect Mentor For Fernando Mendoza
Speaking of drafting a quarterback, the Raiders are absolutely locked in on taking one with the sixth overall pick. All signs point to Fernando Mendoza being their guy, and if that’s the case, Dalton would be an ideal backup.
Vegas is in full rebuild mode, and if they move on from Geno Smith, Dalton slides right into the QB2 role. He’s proven he can mentor young quarterbacks without feeling threatened by competition, and Mendoza would benefit from having a steady veteran presence showing him the ropes.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Aaron Rodgers Backup Plan
Now, this one’s a bit of a wildcard. If the Steelers bring back Aaron Rodgers, then Dalton to Pittsburgh is dead on arrival. But if they don’t? Suddenly, this becomes one of the more intriguing options on the board.
The Steelers could potentially draft Ty Simpson with the 21st overall pick, and if they do, Dalton would be a far better backup and mentor than 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard. Even if they roll with Howard as the starter, Dalton provides competition and a safety net if things go sideways.
The Bottom Line
Dalton isn’t going to save anyone’s season, but he could be a valuable piece for the right team. Whether it’s mentoring a rookie, providing emergency depth, or serving as a bridge quarterback, there’s still a role for him in this league.
The Panthers are ready to move on, and Dalton deserves a chance to finish his career somewhere that values his experience. Will it be the Jets reuniting with Reich? The Raiders grooming Fernando Mendoza? Or the Steelers scrambling for any semblance of stability at quarterback?
