QB Once in Vikings Rumor Mill Traded to Eagles
Before Minnesota Vikings fans really started to dream big about the reality of signing Kyler Murray as the offseason quarterback solution, Andy Dalton twisted in the trade rumor mill. Dalton won’t be a Viking after all, but he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday.
Philadelphia added a steady arm behind Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles evidently needed a stronger QB3 option behind Hurts and Tanner McKee. They got their man.
Eagles Pick Dalton in Their QB Room
It’s his sixth NFL team.
Dalton Traded to PHI
It’s a 7th-Rounder for Dalton. CBS News‘ Tom Dougerty reported Wednesday, “The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly adding a veteran quarterback to add experience and depth behind Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have acquired 38-year-old Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Birds are sending a 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Panthers.”
“Dalton, a long-time starting QB who made three Pro Bowls with the Cincinnati Bengals, spent the last three seasons in Carolina. In 2024, Panthers head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young, who was born in Wynnewood, for Dalton after Week 2. Dalton started five games before he sprained his thumb in a car accident before Carolina’s Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos.”
Dalton will spend his 39th birthday later this fall on Nick Sirianni’s team.
Recent Production
Dalton’s recent performance provides a clear picture of his current abilities. Over the past three seasons in Carolina, despite limited playing time, he’s posted a 0.038 EPA+CPOE. Statistically, this places him alongside quarterbacks like Tyrod Taylor, Quinn Ewers, and Jake Browning, suggesting he’s a reliable, low-risk quarterback capable of managing an offense effectively.
The veteran has largely transitioned to a backup role in recent years, except for a stint as a starter in New Orleans in 2022 due to injuries. Looking at his broader career, Dalton was a primary starter from 2011 to 2020, leading his teams to an 84-83-3 record. Stylistically, he’s often compared to Kirk Cousins — a rhythm passer who excels within a structured system — though he hasn’t faced the same level of criticism.
All told, here’s Dalton’s NFL destination list:
- Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
- Dallas Cowboys (2020)
- Chicago Bears (2021)
- New Orleans Saints (2022)
- Carolina Panthers (2023–2025)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2026)
Extra Insurance for Eagles
Of course, no one is challenging the aforementioned Hurts for the QB1 job. If Dalton owned a time machine that could take him back to his 2015 heyday — maybe.
Instead, the Eagles are hedging their bets if injuries arise. Vikings fans know all about those at the quarterback spot after J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz fell injured last year, paving the way for rookie Max Brosmer to see action in a handful of games. Incidentally, Brosmer played dreadfully. The Eagles want to avoid that kind of situation.
McKee will likely remain the QB2 — he has decent upside — but Dalton will be there in a pinch if the injuries mount. NFL teams are becoming increasingly aware of the backup quarterback spot during roster building. Passers are frequently hurt, and it feels like such incidents have become more common in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Eagles know firsthand what a competent backup quarterback can provide; Nick Foles guided them to a Super Bowl in 2017 when Wentz went down.
SI.com‘s Eva Geitheim on the Dalton trade, “The trade for Dalton makes sense because Eagles often have a stacked quarterback room, and he gives them needed depth. Two years ago, Philadelphia had both McKee and Pickett behind Hurts.”
“This past season, the Eagles had McKee, Sam Howell — who they traded for last August — and rookie Kyle McCord on the roster/practice squad. With McCord leaving for the Packers and Howell joining the Cowboys this offseason, the Eagles needed a third-string quarterback, and have secured one in Dalton.”
Philadelphia Free Agency Transactions
The Eagles started free agency quietly but have picked up the pace in recent days. To date, they’ve added these newcomers and signed these extensions:
- Marquise Brown (WR) KC → PHI
- Grant Calcaterra (TE) PHI → PHI
- Arnold Ebiketie (ED) ATL → PHI
- Braden Mann (P) PHI → PHI
- Johnny Mundt (TE) JAX → PHI
- Jonathan Jones (CB) WAS → PHI
- Tariq Woolen (CB) SEA → PHI
And the players who’ve left Philadelphia:
- Reed Blankenship (S) PHI → HOU
- Nakobe Dean (LB) PHI → LV
- Kylen Granson (TE) PHI → TEN
- Sam Howell (QB) PHI → DAL
- Azeez Ojulari (ED) PHI → ATL
- Jaelan Phillips (ED) PHI → CAR
- Matt Pryor (G/T) PHI → ARI
- Brett Toth (G) PHI → SF
- Joshua Uche (ED) PHI → MIA
The Eagles are also in the market for a prominent pass rusher, which could land them at the doorstep of the Vikings with a Jonathan Greenard trade, according to the rumor mill.
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