The Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday. In a corresponding move, the Falcons are releasing quarterback Cooper Rush, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.
Dalton was most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles and was released Oct. 9. He started seven games for the Carolina Panthers from 2023 to 2025 and has started 169 games overall in 16 seasons. He was the Cincinnati Bengals' primary quarterback from 2011 to 2019, compiling 84 wins as a starter, a 62.6% completion percentage, 39,793 passing yards, 254 touchdowns and 152 interceptions.
The Falcons have carried four quarterbacks since training camp: starter Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Rush started the first two games of the season while Penix (ACL) and Tagovailoa (oblique) were sidelined. Atlanta scored a combined 16 points in those games, a league low.
Penix left the Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens, an eventual loss, with a rib injury, and Tagovailoa threw the game-ending interception in overtime. Penix played Sunday in Atlanta's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears, getting sacked five times, but said his ribs were not an issue. Dalton, who has one pass attempt this season, threw an interception on it.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing