Who Is Andy Dalton? NFL Career, Stats and Latest Status

Andy Dalton has been one of the most recognizable veteran quarterbacks in the NFL for more than a decade

The former Cincinnati Bengals star built a long career through consistency, experience and his ability to step into starting roles when teams needed a reliable quarterback.

In 2026, Dalton is again attracting attention because of his continued presence in the NFL.

After spending the previous three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Dalton was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2026.

Dalton’s career is also notable because of its length. He has played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers before joining Philadelphia.

He has accumulated more than 39,000 passing yards and 250 touchdown passes in the regular season.

So who is Andy Dalton? How old is he? What happened to his career after Cincinnati? Where does he play now?

Here is a closer look at the veteran quarterback’s biography, career, statistics and current NFL status.

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Who Is Andy Dalton?

Andy Dalton is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was born on October 29, 1987, in Katy, Texas.

Dalton played college football at Texas Christian University, where he developed into one of the most successful quarterbacks in TCU history. He became the school’s starting quarterback and helped guide the Horned Frogs to a highly successful run.

The biggest moment of Dalton’s college career came during the 2010 season. TCU finished the season undefeated and defeated Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

Dalton was one of the central figures in that historic campaign. His college success helped make him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Dalton in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 35th overall pick.

Dalton immediately became Cincinnati’s starting quarterback. That was an important part of his career because he did not spend years waiting for an opportunity.

He stepped into the starting job as a rookie and helped the Bengals reach the playoffs. He was also given the nickname “The Red Rifle” because of his red hair and strong passing ability.

The nickname remained associated with him throughout his Cincinnati career. The Eagles currently list Dalton at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds.

Their official profile identifies him as a 16-year NFL veteran and a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Go Frogs!!

— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) March 19, 2026

Early NFL Career

Dalton’s professional career began with the Bengals in 2011. His rookie season immediately established him as an important player in Cincinnati.

He started all 16 regular-season games as a rookie and helped the Bengals reach the playoffs. Dalton’s arrival gave Cincinnati stability at the quarterback position and started a nine-year relationship between the player and franchise.

During his first several seasons, Dalton became one of the more recognizable young quarterbacks in the NFL. He helped Cincinnati reach the postseason multiple times and earned his first Pro Bowl selection after the 2011 season.

He also earned Pro Bowl honors in 2014 and 2016. Dalton’s best statistical season came in 2013 when he threw for more than 4,200 yards and 33 touchdowns.

He was part of an era in which Cincinnati consistently competed for playoff places. However, his Bengals career also included difficult playoff moments.

Cincinnati made the postseason several times during Dalton’s tenure but did not win a playoff game during his time with the organization.

After the 2019 season, the Bengals moved toward a new era at quarterback. The team released Dalton in March 2020, ending his long run in Cincinnati.

Stats Table

Andy Dalton Life After Cincinnati

Leaving Cincinnati began a very different phase of Dalton’s NFL career.

In 2020, he joined the Dallas Cowboys. His role changed after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Dalton became Dallas’ starter and played in 11 games.

The following year, Dalton moved to the Chicago Bears. He initially entered the season as Chicago’s veteran quarterback while the organization also developed rookie Justin Fields.

Dalton eventually played in eight games for Chicago and made several starts. In 2022, he joined the New Orleans Saints.

He started 14 games for New Orleans and threw for 2,871 yards with 18 touchdown passes.

That season was significant because it showed that Dalton could still handle a substantial starting role even after leaving Cincinnati. Dalton then moved to the Carolina Panthers in 2023.

Andy Dalton With the Carolina Panthers

The Panthers signed Dalton in 2023 as a veteran quarterback who could provide experience to a young roster. One of the important parts of Dalton’s Carolina tenure was his relationship with Bryce Young.

The Panthers selected Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and Dalton was brought in as an experienced quarterback who could help the young passer.

Dalton appeared in 13 games and started seven during his three seasons with Carolina, according to the Panthers’ official account of his career with the team.  He also became a respected veteran presence in the locker room.

In 2024, Dalton was starting for Carolina before a thumb injury suffered in a car accident changed the quarterback situation.

Young eventually returned to the starting role. Dalton remained with Carolina through the 2025 season.

He appeared in four games that year and started one. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown.

His time in Carolina ultimately ended in 2026 when the Panthers moved him to Philadelphia.

Andy Dalton Joins the Philadelphia Eagles

In March 2026, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Dalton from the Panthers in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.

The move gave Philadelphia another veteran quarterback behind Jalen Hurts. Reuters reported that Dalton entered the Eagles’ quarterback competition alongside Tanner McKee and was expected to compete for the backup role.

At the time of the trade, Dalton had accumulated 39,793 passing yards and 254 touchdown passes during his NFL career.

The Eagles’ quarterback situation received attention during training camp and the start of the season because the team had multiple quarterbacks competing for depth-chart positions.

Before the season opener, Philadelphia had not publicly announced whether Dalton or McKee would be the primary backup behind Hurts.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that both quarterbacks were competing for the role. Dalton therefore entered 2026 in a familiar position.

He was not necessarily expected to be the team’s long-term starter but his experience gave Philadelphia an established option if it needed to turn to a veteran quarterback.

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Why Is Andy Dalton Trending Again?

Dalton’s name can resurface quickly whenever NFL quarterback situations change.

The main reason is simple. He has extensive starting experience.

A quarterback who has started 169 NFL games offers something different from a young backup who has only limited regular-season experience.

Dalton has played in different offensive systems and has worked with multiple coaching staffs. His 2026 move to Philadelphia also put him on the roster of one of the NFL’s most visible teams.

The situation became even more relevant during Philadelphia’s Week 3 game against Chicago on September 28, 2026.

Dalton entered the game after Jalen Hurts was evaluated following a hit. Hurts was later cleared to return and the incident did not establish Dalton as Philadelphia’s new starter.

That distinction is important. Dalton’s appearance does not mean that he has taken over the Eagles’ starting job.

It does show why teams continue to value experienced quarterbacks who can be prepared to enter a game when circumstances suddenly change.

Andy Dalton’s College Career

Before becoming an NFL veteran, Dalton was the quarterback of the TCU Horned Frogs.

He played at TCU from 2007 through 2010 and appeared in 50 games. He helped transform TCU into a major force in college football.

Dalton finished his college career with 10,314 passing yards, 812 completions and 71 passing touchdowns.

The Eagles’ official biography also notes that he set TCU records for wins by a starting quarterback, career passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns.

His senior season was particularly memorable. TCU finished the 2010 season undefeated and won the Rose Bowl.

Dalton completed his college career with a reputation for leadership and consistency. Those qualities carried into his NFL career.

Andy Dalton’s Playing Style

Dalton has generally been known as a traditional pocket passer.

During his prime, he operated effectively from structured passing offenses and showed the ability to make accurate throws from inside the pocket.

He was never primarily known for rushing ability in the way that many modern quarterbacks are. His biggest asset later in his career has become experience.

Dalton has played for several franchises and under different offensive systems. That experience can be valuable for a team that needs a quarterback who already understands NFL preparation.

He has also spent considerable time around younger quarterbacks. His role with Carolina gave him an opportunity to work with Bryce Young, while his Eagles tenure places him behind Jalen Hurts.

What Is Andy Dalton Doing in 2026?

As of September 2026, Andy Dalton is an active member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles’ official roster lists him as quarterback No. 14 and identifies him as a 16-year veteran.

His role is primarily connected to quarterback depth rather than being Philadelphia’s established starting quarterback.

That does not make him irrelevant. NFL seasons can change quickly.

Injuries can alter depth charts in a single game, and veteran quarterbacks often become important when teams need someone with extensive starting experience.

Dalton’s presence gives Philadelphia an experienced option behind Hurts.

Andy Dalton’s Legacy

Andy Dalton’s career is unusual because it has lasted through several different phases of the NFL.

He entered the league as a young starter with the Bengals. He later became a veteran starter for teams such as the Cowboys, Bears and Saints.

Eventually, his role shifted toward veteran backup and mentor. Few quarterbacks remain in the NFL long enough to experience all of those roles.

Dalton also remains closely associated with Cincinnati because of his nine seasons with the Bengals. He helped establish the franchise as a regular playoff participant during the early part of his career.

His three Pro Bowl selections remain an important part of his résumé. His career numbers are also significant.

More than 39,000 passing yards and 250 touchdown passes put him in a notable group of long-serving NFL quarterbacks.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Dalton has also been involved in charitable work throughout his career.

Along with his wife Jordan, he founded the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation during his time in Cincinnati.

The foundation focused on helping children and families in need.

The Eagles’ biography notes that Dalton was the Bengals’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2016 for his community work.

His charitable work became another part of his public identity beyond football.

FAQ’s

Who is Andy Dalton?

Andy Dalton is an American NFL quarterback who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. He entered the NFL in 2011 after the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round of the draft.

How old is Andy Dalton?

Andy Dalton was born on October 29, 1987. He is 38 years old in 2026.

What team does Andy Dalton play for in 2026?

Andy Dalton plays for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL season. Philadelphia acquired him from the Carolina Panthers in March 2026.

What happened to Andy Dalton?

Dalton has not retired from the NFL. He remained active in 2026 after being traded from Carolina to Philadelphia. He serves as an experienced quarterback on the Eagles’ roster.

Did Andy Dalton play for the Bengals?

Yes. Dalton spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2011 through 2019.

Conclusion

Andy Dalton’s NFL story is much longer than the typical career of a quarterback who enters the league as a second-round pick.

He went from being Cincinnati’s long-term starting quarterback to becoming a veteran who has helped several teams navigate quarterback changes.

However, his extensive NFL experience continues to make him a relevant name whenever quarterback depth becomes a major storyline.

For fans searching for Andy Dalton in 2026, the key point is simple: he is still an active NFL quarterback.

At 38, the veteran has continued his career with Philadelphia and remains one of the league’s most experienced backup options.

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