The Panthers have signed quarterback Andy Dalton to a two-year, $8MM extension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $6MM in fully guaranteed money with a maximum value of $10MM.
Dalton will be under contract in Carolina through the 2026 season and can continue his mentorship of former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, with whom he has a “close relationship,” according to Schefter.
Both quarterbacks earned praise from within and without the Panthers organization for how they handled the tumultuous 2024 season. Young was benched after just two games with Dalton starting Weeks 3 through 7. In that span, he completed 106 of his 159 passes for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions.
The Panthers went 1-4 with Dalton under center before a car accident sidelined him in Week 8, giving Young another opportunity to start. Dalton only missed one game, but Young held onto the starting gig on a week-to-week basis. After increasingly positive pronouncements from head coach Dave Canales, Young was finally declared the full-time starter to close out the season.
The Panthers have backed Young as their starter in 2025, but the maturity and experience Dalton demonstrated last season was worth keeping around. He is entering his 15th season and will turn 38 years old in October, so this could be his last contract. With at least $6MM coming his way, Dalton’s career earnings will be at least $115MM, per OvertheCap, and could reach $120MM if he hits the maximum value of the deal.
Dalton’s extension with the Panthers will keep him from hitting free agency, where he was expected to draw interest in the backup quarterback market. The Dolphins explored trading for Dalton last September, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and were expected to renew their pursuit if he became available in March. Instead, they will likely pivot to Marcus Mariota, provided the Commanders don’t follow the Panthers’ lead and re-sign their veteran backup.
“The name… is Dalton”
Ah! but I prefer the “Red Rifle” which is a bit more colorful 🙂
Really surprised Dalton didnt look for another starting oppportunity
Browns
Colts
Raiders
Dolphins
Jets
Titans
Plenty of other destinations he could have went and been a back up possibly a starter and for more money.
Starting wise
Browns would have been an interesting choice putting the red rifle back in the AFC North.
Titans would be interesting considering Dalton played 1 year in Taylor/Callahan offense back in 2019 so he’d be a little familiar with it. Plus the # 1 overall pick in waiting in the wings.
Back up wise
Colts with Pittman Jr, Pierce, Downs, Taylor in a pretty weak AFC South. I doubt Richardson holds onto the starting gig much longer.
Dolphins seemed poise to offer him a decent salary to back up Tua and have no short of weapons in Hill Waddle Jonnu and their rbs.
Add the Giants to that list. No idea who their QB is going to be. They may draft one, trade for one, or sign one. They may try to get someone like Stafford and try to compete. They may get someone like Winston and tank for 2026. Who knows. Dalton may have been able to start for them.
Draft Will Howard at 3
Sign Kirk Cousins
Fixed.
Maybe at 37 years old he has decided this is best route for him and family. Still making nice salary, has 100 million career earnings. Gives him a chance to mentor and learn which could help him with coaching roles in future. Only person who knows is him for sure.
Honest question. I created an account to just ask this. And believe it or not I’ve been a football fan for 40 years. How are the panthers able to extend him if the league year is over and he is due to be a FA. As a raiders fan (all jokes aside) can the raiders extend like Nate Hobbs or someone due to be a FA during the 2025 new league year? I’ve always been confused by this. Hopefully you guys understand what I’m asking. His contact is up why didn’t they have to wait for the Fa period.
The league year isn’t over until March 12. He would be an unrestricted free agent March 13. That may be it.
Since he played for the panthers last season they get negotiating rights as soon as the season ends. He was resigned and technically it was an extension more than a free agency contract.
So why wouldn’t the chiefs tie up trey smith right now then. I think there more to it. Idk. So the chiefs could give DeAndre Hopkins a contract tomorrow if they wanted?
it takes two parties to sign a contract. if the player wants to test the market they are able to.
Yeah, teams can work out new deals with players, but the Chiefs are expected to have to let Smith walk.
Chiefs are a competitive team with cap struggles redoing contracts every year for cap room it seems.
Teams can do it with negotiating rights if they are currently on the team.
You don’t see it happen as much, because players want to go to free agency to test the open market for $ and fit.
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE