The Philadelphia Eagles made a surprising quarterback move heading into Sunday’s game against the Jaguars in London, releasing veteran Andy Dalton, according to multiple reports.
Dalton, who turns 39 later this month, was intercepted on his lone pass attempt this season. That came in the end zone during the first half of Philadelphia’s Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, after Jalen Hurts briefly exited following a hit from Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson.
With Dalton gone, the Eagles will move forward with Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton behind Hurts. McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick, has one start over the past two seasons, along with five career touchdown passes, one interception and a 61.4% completion rate. Payton, a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, has not appeared in a regular-season game.
Now Dalton is back on the market, and there should be interest. The former three-time Pro Bowler spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Bengals and helped guide them to five straight playoff trips from 2011-16. He has also played for the Saints, Bears and Panthers.
Over his career, Dalton has thrown for 39,793 yards, 254 touchdowns and 152 interceptions, while completing 62.6% of his passes.
So where could he land next? A few teams stand out.
Minnesota is one option. The Vikings could use another backup quarterback after trading JJ McCarthy to the Giants.
Dalton would give them another veteran in the room behind Kyler Murray, alongside Carson Wentz. Wentz had played well earlier this season after Murray was injured.
The Giants also come up as a possibility after losing Jaxson Dart to a season-ending injury. Jameis Winston is coming off his best game as a Giant, but the group would still benefit from another quarterback. Even so, after acquiring JJ McCarthy, it’s unlikely they would make another move.
New Orleans could make sense as well. Dalton could be a mentor for Tyler Shough, whose season has already included plenty of ups and downs.
Shough currently doesn’t have a mentor in the quarterback room, and his backup is Spencer Rattler, who is a year younger than he is. Dalton would bring a steady voice to a young group that could use guidance.
Miami is another fit. Like the Saints, the Dolphins could use Dalton as a mentor for Malik Willis, who is in his first season as a full-time starter.
His backup, Kyle McCord, is also in his first year with the Dolphins and has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game. The bigger question is whether the tanking Dolphins would make a move now or wait for their pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Tennessee rounds out the list. Dalton could help a young quarterback settle in there, too, with Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, still developing as a starter. A veteran with Dalton’s experience would seem like a useful addition for Ward’s continued growth.
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Keldric Faulk also received honorable mention, adding to the sense that this group is giving the Titans a legitimate young core to build around. Carmonas placement came despite an early injury, and the bigger takeaway for Tennessee is that the development of these rookies could quickly become one of the most important storylines in the franchises next phase. [Read more 🡒]