Andy Dalton

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	INT	RTG
Career		179	39,792	254	151	87.5
2025		4	293	1	1	89.1
2024		6	989	7	6	82.0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Andy Dalton's Contract Value Index lands at C+, putting the deal in a defined slice of comparable signings. At $4M AAV across two years, this represents exactly what a franchise should pay for a 15-year veteran serving as a depth quarterback — enough to secure a proven commodity without overcommitting resources to a backup role. The performance grade sits at C+, which paired with the modest salary reflects realistic expectations: Dalton is insurance, not a solution, and the contract price acknowledges his standing as a 38-year-old longtime veteran rather than a reclamation project with upside. The Eagles acquired him via trade for only a 2027 seventh-round pick, a transaction that immediately underscores the value proposition — Philadelphia extracted a decade-and-a-half of NFL experience for the cost of a late conditional pick, a ruthlessly efficient deployment of capital. Media framing has been uniformly positive on role fit, consistently describing him as low-risk insurance against injury to the primary starter, which keeps the narrative grounded and removes downside surprise from the equation. With a two-year term and affordable AAV, the deal carries minimal dead-cap risk and preserves Philadelphia's flexibility to pivot at the position if circumstances change during his tenure.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Andy's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Andy Dalton is a 15-year veteran and journeyman backup making his latest appearance in Philadelphia's quarterback rotation. Once a reliable starter with 179 career games and a 87.5 career passer rating, Dalton now operates primarily in a relief or emergency capacity. At 38, he represents organizational depth rather than a long-term solution at the position. His current season performance reflects the natural decline expected from a late-career backup. A 82.0 passer rating sits modestly below the 87.79 NFL average, though his 66.3 completion percentage actually edges above league standard at 63.59. Where Dalton struggles most is efficiency downfield—his 6.18 yards per attempt trails the 6.73 average significantly, limiting big-play potential. His rushing production of 5.67 yards per game is well below the 12.31 NFL benchmark, emphasizing his immobility in the modern quarterback landscape. The silver lining: his 4.38 touchdown percentage matches the league average exactly, suggesting adequate ball security and situational awareness in limited opportunities. Dalton's trajectory has declined noticeably, dropping from a C+ overall grade to D+ in 2024 before settling at C- this season. His lengthy body of work—including successful stints in Cincinnati, Dallas, and Chicago—demonstrates competence, but current metrics reveal age-related erosion in arm strength and decision-making. Moving forward, Dalton's role should remain anchored as a depth option and veteran presence. His ceiling is a capable spot starter in emergency scenarios, not a franchise solution. Watch whether teams value his leadership and experience enough to retain him as 2025 progresses.

How Andy Compares at the Position

Andy Dalton ranks 32nd of 107 graded quarterbacks by performance. That slots Andy between Jaxson Dart (B-) just ahead and Tyler Shough (C+) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Eagles added a reliable veteran backup quarterback in Andy Dalton via trade. Media coverage suggests this is a depth move, ranking him at 2026 camp preview importance. Dalton's experience as a 12-year NFL starter provides solid insurance behind the starter. Fans view this as a pragmatic backup acquisition, neither exciting nor controversial. Expect Dalton to serve as a capable third-stringer and emergency starter option.