Andy Dalton, Frank Reich
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton on an NFL sideline during an NFL game against the New York Giants.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton is popping up in trade conversations this offseason.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed on Wednesday, February 25, that the Panthers have been “getting calls” about a potential Dalton trade.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini responded to that post on social media, saying, “FWIW: Jets OC Frank Reich coached Dalton in Carolina.”
A Coaching-Player Connection
Frank Reich was hired in January of 2023 to be the head coach of the Panthers. One of the first moves he made in free agency was signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to a two-year, $11 million contract.
The pair spent 10 months together before Reich was fired in November of 2023 by Carolina.
The former TCU product has been with the Panthers for the last three years. In February of 2025, the Panthers signed Dalton to a two-year, $8 million extension. He has one year left on that contract through the 2026 season.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini told me on “Boy Green Daily” that Reich will have heavy “influence” in who ends up in the quarterback room for the Jets this offseason.
Dalton won’t titillate the fans as a potential QB1, but the Jets need multiple quarterbacks this offseason.
Dalton is a professional quarterback. He can get the ball from point A to point B. At this stage of his career, Dalton is much closer to the end of his journey than the beginning.
Evaluating the Dalton NFL Resume
Dalton, 38, entered the league as the No. 35 overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.
He has appeared in 179 games and has made 169 starts. With those opportunities, Dalton has completed 62.6% of his passes, has thrown for 39,793 passing yards, and owns a 254 touchdown to 151 interception ratio.
For the first nine years of his NFL career, Dalton was a full-time starter for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was named to three Pro Bowls, had 20+ passing touchdowns in six of those nine seasons, and finished with a 70-61-2 record as a starting quarterback.
After his run with the Bengals, Dalton transitioned into a primary backup role and only played when he was called upon. Over those next three years, he had to fill in a lot. From 2020 through 2023, Dalton started 29 games for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and the New Orleans Saints, respectively.
Over the last three years combined, he has only started in seven games for the Panthers.
Low Supply vs. High Demand
The problem for the Jets is that the supply of available quarterbacks is low and the demand is high.
That’s not a good combination.
Dalton has been a good backup for Bryce Young in Carolina. He makes inconsequential money. Your backup quarterback is only one play away from getting into the game.
It’s unclear what the motivation would be from the Panthers side of things to trade him. For the Jets, it makes plenty of sense. Dalton has a connection to Reich, and the Jets have a huge need in their QB room.
General manager Darren Mougey told the media at the 2026 NFL combine that they will turn over every stone in their search for quarterbacks this offseason.