What Happened to Andrew Gregory Dalton?
Andy Dalton, nicknamed "the Red Rifle," is an American professional football quarterback who has played for multiple NFL teams since being drafted in 2011. After a successful nine-season tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals, he transitioned to a journeyman role, and as of August 2026, he is with the Philadelphia Eagles, competing for a backup quarterback position.
Quick Answer
Andy Dalton is currently a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, having been traded from the Carolina Panthers in March 2026. He is entering his 16th NFL season and is competing for a backup role behind Jalen Hurts, potentially as the third-string quarterback. Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowler, previously spent nine seasons as the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals before playing for the Cowboys, Bears, Saints, and Panthers.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Katy, Texas
Andrew Gregory Dalton was born in Katy, Texas, where he later played high school football.
Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (35th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft after a successful college career at TCU.
First Pro Bowl Selection
In his rookie season, Dalton earned his first Pro Bowl selection, a testament to his immediate impact as a starting quarterback.
Led Bengals to Five Consecutive Playoff Appearances
Dalton guided the Cincinnati Bengals to the playoffs for five straight seasons, a period of consistent regular-season success for the franchise.
Third Pro Bowl Selection
Dalton earned his third Pro Bowl nod, replacing Tom Brady, after a season where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Released by Cincinnati Bengals
After nine seasons, the Bengals released Dalton following a period of declining team performance and four consecutive losing seasons.
Signed with Dallas Cowboys
Dalton joined the Dallas Cowboys as a backup quarterback, stepping in as the starter after an injury to Dak Prescott.
Signed with Chicago Bears
He signed with the Chicago Bears, where he started several games, including the season opener.
Signed with New Orleans Saints
Dalton spent the 2022 season with the New Orleans Saints, primarily serving as a starting quarterback.
Signed with Carolina Panthers
He joined the Carolina Panthers, initially as a backup to Bryce Young.
Started Five Games for Panthers
Dalton saw significant playing time in 2024, starting five games for the Panthers and throwing for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Limited Action with Panthers
In his final season with the Panthers, Dalton appeared in four games, making one start, and recorded 293 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Traded to Philadelphia Eagles
The Carolina Panthers traded Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 seventh-round pick, marking his fifth team since leaving the Bengals.
Competing for Eagles Backup QB Role
As of mid-August 2026, Dalton is actively competing for a backup quarterback position with the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp, with some reports suggesting he could be a cut candidate.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Andrew Gregory Dalton, widely known as Andy Dalton, embarked on his NFL journey after a stellar collegiate career at TCU, where he set numerous school records for quarterback wins, passing yards, completions, and touchdowns, earning two Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year awards. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (35th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Dalton quickly established himself as the Bengals' starting quarterback, leading the team to five consecutive playoff appearances from 2011 to 2015. During his nine seasons in Cincinnati, he earned three Pro Bowl selections (2011, 2014, 2016) and set several franchise records, including single-season passing yards and touchdowns. Despite his regular season success, the Bengals were unable to secure a playoff victory during his tenure, a key turning point that often drew criticism. He was released by the Bengals in 2020 following four consecutive losing seasons.
Following his departure from Cincinnati, Dalton entered a more nomadic phase of his career. He spent single seasons as a starter or backup with the Dallas Cowboys (2020), Chicago Bears (2021), and New Orleans Saints (2022). In 2023, he signed with the Carolina Panthers, where he spent three seasons. His most prominent action with the Panthers came in 2024, when he started five games, throwing for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions. In the 2025 season, he appeared in four games, making one start, and recorded 293 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
As of March 18, 2026, Dalton was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick. Now 38 years old, he joins the Eagles to bolster their quarterback room behind Jalen Hurts. Reports from August 2026 indicate he is competing for the backup quarterback role, potentially as the third option behind Tanner McKee, and has even been mentioned as a possible cut candidate during training camp, despite a strong start. Dalton continues to be an experienced veteran presence, having accumulated 39,793 passing yards and 254 touchdowns over his career.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Andrew Gregory Dalton made different choices?