The backup is back.
As announced on Tuesday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers have re-signed quarterback Andy Dalton to a two-year deal. The agreement, according to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, is an $8 million pact with $6 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $10 million.
Dalton first joined the Panthers on a two-year, $10 million contract during the 2023 offseason, prior to their selection of No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The former three-time Pro Bowler has started in six of his nine outings for Carolina since—passing for 1,350 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions with a 64.2-percent completion rate.
Five of those six starts came this past season, following the early-season benching of Young. The then-36-year-old came out firing in his first chance, as he threw for 319 yards and three scores in a 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.
Young would eventually take the starting job back in Week 8, after Dalton injured his right thumb in a car accident.
Now 37 years old, Dalton is set to enter his 15th NFL campaign in 2025.