Eagles release Andy Dalton

The Eagles demoted Andy Dalton after his end zone interception in Week 3. He took over for Jalen Hurts while the latter was being evaluated for an injury and immediately gave the ball away in scoring position. McKee has two career starts since being drafted in 2023.

To say the least, it’s going to be hard for the Eagles to recoup major draft capital in a trade for McKee if he can’t beat out an Andy Dalton who looked extremely washed last offseason. The backup quarterback battle updates in July will continue until morale improves.

It was previously reported that the Panthers were getting calls for Andy Dalton. The team then went out and signed Kenny Pickett, making it clear they were moving on from Dalton this offseason. Getting even a seventh-round pick in return for Dalton is mildly impressive for Panthers GM Dan Morgan. After the trade, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo insisted, “Tanner McKee firmly locked into the No. 2 spot behind Jalen Hurts.” That would be a bit odd given that the Eagles just sought out Dalton, though they did carry three quarterbacks on their roster last year.

Newton adds “even if it means releasing Dalton and leaving $3.83 million in dead cap money.” Things really crashed down hard from the Andy Dalton Combine “getting calls” experience. Dalton, who turns 39 in October, likely proved that he just wasn’t a good enough backup last year in his start against the Bills to keep paying a premium on. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Panthers cut him.

This comes a day after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Panthers had been receiving calls about Dalton for a potential trade. Morgan said he “would talk to Andy” about any requests for a trade that may come through, but it’s hard to imagine the 38-year-old signal-caller being in high demand with free agency and the draft still to go. Dalton has one more year remaining on his current deal with the Panthers, and could make for a nice bridge for a team bringing in a younger quarterback, but wouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a one-year option.

Dalton has one year left on his current deal in Carolina. The team signed him as Bryce Young’s backup in 2023. He saw significant playing time in 2024 and the team kept him around as a break glass incase of emergency option to replace Young. Dalton was only needed for one start last year. He threw for 175 scoreless yards and an interception while taking seven sacks. The Panthers got trounced by the Bills with a final score of 9-40. The fact that there are still teams interested in Dalton, even as a backup, speaks to the stagnant state of quarterback play across the league. The Panthers wouldn’t fetch more than a late-round pick for Dalton.

Dalton is dealing with a right thumb injury and was listed as questionable. He will back up Bryce Young today. Inactive for the Panthers are OLB Princely Umanmielen, WR Hunter Renfrow, QB Mike White, C Cade Mays, TE James Mitchell, and DT Cam Jackson.

It sounds like the Panthers are still managing Young to some extent — they were eager to see how he’d perform on their hardest practice of the week — but he looks like a good bet to start on Sunday from here. Andy Dalton (thumb) got in a limited session after not practicing on Wednesday. Mike White was signed to the active roster today and most reporters mentioned Dalton, not Young, as the likely scratch in the scenario that White is active.

Bryce Young practiced in full after missing Week 8 with an ankle injury. All signs point to Young drawing the start in Week 9 against the Packers. Superflex managers can safely send Dalton back to the waiver wire.

Dalton also took seven sacks and fumbled twice on the day. It was truly one of the worst performances you’re going to see from a quarterback, especially one who has been pretty solid throughout his entire career. Dalton just seemed like he had no chemistry with any of his receivers and looked fully uncomfortable in the pocket behind an offensive line that lost three starters due to injury. There is no quarterback controversy here, and Bryce Young should start next week against the Packers if his ankle is up to the task.