Read more
Here is the content:
Andy Dalton wasted no time elevating the Carolina Panthers in his first start of the 2024 NFL season Sunday, becoming the first quarterback of the new year to throw 300 yards and three touchdowns in a rout of the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. Not only did the veteran backup appear much more at ease than Bryce Young, the former No. 1 overall draft pick who was demoted two games into the season, but he also reminded everyone that, well, he still exists.
At 36, Dalton is among the older active players in the NFL. This is his 14th season at the professional level. History suggests that his sudden Panthers stardom, giving new coach Dave Canales his first career win, will ultimately give way to more mercurial results -- sooner rather than later, perhaps. Still, the fact he can still take the field and sling it like he did against Antonio Pierce's defense is a testament to his underrated durability on the NFL stage.
Consider how much has changed, for both Dalton and the NFL at large, since the veteran first entered the scene. Here's a timeline of notable Dalton happenings, emphasizing just how long the red-headed gunslinger has survived:
Andy Dalton was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in April 2011, taken No. 35 overall out of TCU. With Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer threatening retirement over a failed trade request, Cincy took Dalton as the starter at a position dominated by Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Tom Brady (New England Patriots), and a young Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions). His arrival came months after Aaron Rodgers won the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and Peyton Manning took his last snap with the Indianapolis Colts.
Since then, Dalton has led playoff appearances, set franchise records, signed a lucrative extension, and been released by the Bengals. He's also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints before landing in Carolina.
Here's a brief look at some of his notable milestones:
* April 29, 2011: Dalton is drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.
* Jan. 1, 2012: Dalton leads his first playoff berth.
* Nov. 27, 2012: Dalton becomes just the third player in NFL history to throw at least 20 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons.
* Jan. 5, 2013: Dalton falls to the Houston Texans in the playoffs.
* Dec. 29, 2013: Dalton sets franchise records before another postseason flop.
* Aug. 4, 2014: Dalton signs a six-year Bengals extension worth nearly $100 million.
* Jan. 4, 2015: Dalton falls to 0-4 in the playoffs.
* Nov. 5, 2015: Dalton guides an 8-0 start before getting sidelined.
* Sept. 11, 2016: Dalton begins a four-year slide of missing the playoffs.
* Sept. 8, 2019: Dalton ushers in the Zac Taylor era.
* Oct. 29, 2019: Dalton is benched for Ryan Finley but returns weeks later.
* April 30, 2020: Dalton is released by the Bengals.
* May 2, 2020: Dalton joins the Dallas Cowboys and takes over for Dak Prescott.
* March 17, 2021: Dalton joins the Chicago Bears as their "QB1."
* March 29, 2022: Dalton continues his backup tour with the New Orleans Saints.
* March 15, 2023: Dalton swaps sides in the NFC South to join the Panthers.
* Sept. 24, 2023: Dalton throws more than any QB in relief of Young.
* Sept. 16, 2024: Dalton is named the Panthers' starter.
In his latest stint with Carolina, Dalton has already shown glimpses of his old self. With Young struggling mightily in an 0-2 start to his second season, Canales promoted Dalton to the top job. The veteran quarterback responded by throwing for 319 yards and three scores in a near-flawless rout of the Las Vegas Raiders.
0 Reviews