The Carolina Panthers found a trade partner for veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton, sending him to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 seventh-round pick. General manager Dan Morgan had to take on $2 million of his 2026 salary to seal the deal, but getting something in return is better than nothing.
And a fresh report from ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler outlined precisely why the Eagles wanted a stable presence for their No. 2 role next season.
The Eagles won the NFC East en route to another playoff appearance in 2025, but all was not well in-house. They kept things relatively in check throughout the regular season. When the time came to step things up in the knockout rounds, they fell short in the wild-card round.
Andy Dalton could be exactly what Eagles' QB room needs as Carolina Panthers move on
Fowler's recent revelations around quarterback Jalen Hurts, citing multiple anonymous sources in the building, painted a concerning picture. Whether it was his refusal to be coached, changing plays, being responsible for the bland offensive direction, or the ongoing tension with wide receiver A.J. Brown, the entire article was a hit piece with extremely strange timing attached.
This was immediately seen as a bombshell report. However, it's also in keeping with the murmurings from Philadelphia over the last year.
Nothing felt right last season. Speculation is still rising about Brown being traded, with the New England Patriots hotly touted as his next destination. That's to be determined, but if this article accurately depicts what's going on behind the scenes, it's no wonder general manager Howie Roseman wanted to secure Dalton's services.
Dalton's on-field powers are waning. But his leadership and willingness to be a strong support system for the starting option became a huge asset during Bryce Young's rollercoaster start to life in Carolina.
The former Alabama star credits Dalton heavily for guiding him through some rough waters. Even though Hurts is more experienced and has achieved more, there is clearly a need for some added direction.
Hurts is a Super Bowl MVP and three-time Pro Bowler. He's also among the most polarizing signal-callers in the league, and this is a big year ahead for the player. Having Dalton to lean on for advice and guidance will help enormously, though the undisputed starter must also be receptive to critique to silence some growing doubters.
This worked out well for the Panthers. They got a pick for someone who was likely to be released at some point. And based on Fowler's exposé, Dalton could be walking into a proverbial firestorm.
Based on his first couple of years in Carolina, that won't be unfamiliar to the three-time Pro Bowler out of TCU.