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. He was released Oct. 9. Dalton started seven games for the Carolina Panthers from 2023 to 2025 and has started 169 games overall in 16 seasons.
The Falcons have been carrying four quarterbacks on their roster since training camp: starter Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
Rush started the first two games of the season with both Penix (ACL) and Tagovailoa (oblique) sidelined. The Falcons scored a combined 16 points in those games, a league low.
Penix came out of the team's Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens, an eventual loss, with a rib injury. Tagovailoa replaced Penix in overtime and threw the game-ending interception.
Penix was able to play Sunday in Atlanta's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. Penix was sacked five times by the Bears, but said he came away from the game healthy and his ribs were not an issue.
Dalton, a 16-year veteran, had one pass attempt this season and it went for an interception. In his career, Dalton has 84 wins as a starter with a 62.6% completion percentage for 39,793 passing yards with 254 touchdowns and 152 interceptions. He was the Cincinnati Bengals' primary quarterback from 2011 to 2019.
