Andy Dalton will enjoy his new contract with the Carolina Panthers, but the team has stubbed their toe on this one.
Andy Dalton was a name not many would have picked to have a headline moment in the 2024 season. However, the Carolina Panthers backup did get a moment in the sun. Now, a lost season later, the team is looking to get ready for what they hope to be a successful 2025 campaign.
On their wishlist might be a 2025 positive impression from Luke Kuechly on Bryce Young. In an effort to get there, the team has already made their first big roster decision of the off-season. Dalton was re-signed to a two-year, $8 million deal, per Spotrac.
It’s a great moment for the quarterback after a touch-and-go period of his career following his fallout with the Cincinnati Bengals. At least for the next two years, the Red Rifle lives on. However, as hope-inspiring as Bryce Young was down the stretch last season, moving to sign his current backup was a mistake. Here’s a look at three reasons why.
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#3 – Andy Dalton is played out
While many remember his breakout moment with the Panthers most vividly, they would be quick to forget that the following weeks were disastrous. In the end, his run with the Panthers in 2024 wrapped with a 1-4 record.
After years of bouncing around the league and as he approaches 38 years of age, it is clear that the backup’s time in the league is winding down. It’s great news for him to get another deal, but for the Panthers, they haven’t given themselves much insurance at all.
#2 – Tells teams exactly what they’re trying to do in NFL Draft
By re-signing Andy Dalton as a backup as early as they did, the Panthers have tipped their caps to the rest of the league. It is clear they are going forward with Bryce Young for another season.
That means other teams know they can wheel and deal with the Panthers because they know their intentions at the top of their roster. When it comes to the NFL Draft, knowledge is power and the Panthers just gave other teams knowledge on a silver platter.
#1 – Gives Panthers reason to put off Bryce Young replacement
Perhaps the most detrimental aspect of re-signing Andy Dalton is that it removes the ability to go after Bryce Young’s replacement. Dalton is around, so he will be the only other option for the Panthers to turn to this season. Going into the NFL Draft, the Panthers have removed all sense of urgency to draft a quarterback.
If Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders were to fall into their lap, they already have the easy road choice to stick with Dalton because he’s already a closed case. If that spot was open, the Panthers would be much more likely to consider and think thoroughly through a potential upgrade in the NFL Draft or even in free agency.
Put simply, they made the convenient choice the wrong one in the long run.