Carolina is keeping its insurance policy under center.
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is returning to the Panthers on a two-year deal, the team announced on Tuesday.
Dalton spent the last two years in Carolina, appearing in nine games (six starts) as both a backup inserted into action and a starter in place of former first-overall pick Bryce Young. After two rough outings for Young to begin 2024, head coach Dave Canales benched the second-year passer in favor of Dalton, who made five starts in 2024.
He began on a strong note, but before long, it became clear Dalton couldn't save the Panthers, and when Dalton suffered an injury in a car crash, Young returned to the lineup. The younger passer took off from there, reclaiming his place as Carolina's franchise quarterback with a strong finish to his second season.
Dalton's return to the Panthers provides them with an experienced backup who can handle the job in the event Young is unable to play and continue to offer mentorship to the young starter. At 37 years old, it made plenty of sense for the TCU product to stay in a place he's come to know quite well.
