Panthers bring back veteran QB Andy Dalton to work with Bryce Young

Mike Kaye, The Charlotte Observer on Feb 18, 2025

Published in Football

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Andy Dalton isn’t going anywhere.

The Carolina Panthers announced Tuesday that the team reached an agreement with the veteran quarterback on a new two-year contract. Dalton was set to test free agency on March 12 prior to the agreement.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth a base value of $8 million. Per the report, Dalton is guaranteed $6 million at signing with a max earning potential of $10 million.

The well-traveled signal-caller spent the past two seasons in Charlotte, mostly serving as a sounding board and backup to starting QB Bryce Young. While Young was briefly benched for Dalton last season, a minor car accident — which injured Dalton’s right thumb on his throwing hand — essentially ended Dalton’s run as the Panthers’ starting quarterback after just five games (1-4 record).

But Dalton, despite the unusual 2024 season, has retained his strong relationship with both Young and head coach Dave Canales. Following the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, Dalton, 37, made it clear that he would like to stay with Carolina, as his family has enjoyed the area and he liked the direction the franchise was headed.

Dalton has thrown for 1,350 passing yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions in nine games (six starts) for the Panthers over the past two years. Entering his 15th season, Dalton has thrown for 39,500 yards, 253 touchdowns and 150 interceptions in his career.

While he spent his first nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dalton has also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Besides the Bengals, the Panthers are the only team that Dalton has played for longer than one season.

With Dalton coming back, the Panthers have a three-man QB depth chart under contract. Along with Young and Dalton, second-year QB Jack Plummer is also on the roster.