With questions about the free-agent pool, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton's name has been floated in trade chatter this week. Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan is open to the idea -- if Dalton is interested.
"I think it's the -- there's a potential that somebody may want him," Morgan told The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, via the team’s official website. "Andy's a really good player, and he's a great guy, great culture fit for us. I haven't talked to any teams about a trade, but I think if the possibility did come up that I would talk to Andy, give him that option and let him explore a trade."
That sounds like the suit version of "hit me up."
A 15-year veteran, Dalton hasn't been a full-time starter since 2022 with New Orleans. In three years with the Panthers, he's completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,643 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He made one spot start in 2025, going 16-of-24 for 175 yards with an INT in a blowout loss to Buffalo in Week 8.
The 38-year-old quarterback certainly isn't a spring chicken, but could be viewed as a veteran mentor to a budding QB. The Panthers would prefer to develop a younger option behind Bryce Young. If Morgan brings in a young backup, Dalton could get squeezed off the roster, if he isn't moved before training camp.
"I do think that we want to get a little younger and a little more athletic at that backup quarterback spot," Morgan said. "So we'll see what happens from there."
In that effort, a possible trade for Anthony Richardson, who has gone on the block, was floated, but Morgan admonished that idea, saying he'd like to draft and develop his own backup.
"We're not trading," Morgan stated. "I'm not giving away draft picks. We've got to build through the draft."
The Panthers have seven draft picks in 2026, and Morgan likely wants more to fill out his growing roster. Trading Dalton likely wouldn't bring more than a pick swap or late rounder.
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