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Andy Dalton Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran QB great fit for Panthers to pair with future No. 1 overall pick

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 3/14/23

The Carolina Panthers are making moves at the quarterback position, with their latest transaction being the third-most important thing they've done this offseason.

The first was trading with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, a pick they are sure to use on a quarterback. The second big move happened before that, and that was the hiring of Frank Reich as new head coach. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Panthers' next move is bringing in veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in free agency.

Dalton and the Panthers have agreed upon a free-agent deal with will pay the long-time NFL quarterback $10 million, including $8 million fully guaranteed, over two years.

Veteran free-agent QB Andy Dalton is expected to reach agreement on a two-year, $10 million deal that includes $8 million fully guaranteed with the Carolina Panthers, per source. Contract max value is $17 million. pic.twitter.com/GCBhqpQ0H8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023

While the Panthers signing Dalton isn't going to get any of the fans in Carolina excited, this is truly a good move by the organization.

First and foremost, Dalton is a long-time NFL starter. Sure, the Panthers are going to want to draft one of the likes of Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Anthony Richardson (Florida), or Will Levis (Kentucky), but very few rookies are ready to lead an NFL franchise from Week 1.

Yes, plenty have been thrown into the fire over the past few seasons and many young quarterbacks have recently been making a name for themselves, but there still is wisdom in the "draft and stash" approach when it comes to top quarterbacks. It worked for Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, and it could work for one of the aforementioned quarterbacks if that's the plan Carolina rolls out.

In Dalton, the Panthers have got a quarterback who can still win them a few games and keep them competitive, but he's no threat to steal the show from a young up-and-comer. He's moreso just there to keep the boat afloat while Reich starts to build his new regime.

There are far worse quarterbacks to have, after all. No, he's not the player he was back in his heyday with the Cincinnati Bengals, but Dalton can still run and offense and keep the sticks moving.

After that all he has to do is impart his wisdom and help Young, Stroud, Richardson, or Levis acclimate to NFL live.

That's not a half bad gig for a veteran quarterback, and he's not a half bad fit for the Panthers.

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