Andy Dalton is a quarterback for the National Football League’s (NFL) Carolina Panthers in American football. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and holds several franchise records for the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent his first nine seasons. He is also known as “Red Rifle” for his red hair and strong arm.
Early Life and College Career
Andy Dalton was born in Katy, Texas, on October 29, 1987. He attended Katy High School, where he led the Tigers to the state finals as a senior. In that year, he passed for 2,877 yards, 42 touchdown passes, and 15 interceptions and was named the Greater Houston Area offensive player of the year by the Houston Chronicle.
Dalton committed to Texas Christian University (TCU) in 2005 and redshirted his first year. He became the starting quarterback for the Horned Frogs in 2007, leading them to four consecutive bowl wins, including the 2011 Rose Bowl. He finished his college career as TCU’s leader in quarterback wins (42), passing yards (10,314), passing touchdowns (71), and completion percentage (61.7%). He also won two Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards and was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award and the Maxwell Award in 2010.
NFL Career
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Dalton in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He immediately became the starter and formed a prolific connection with wide receiver A.J. Green. He led the Bengals to five consecutive playoff appearances from 2011 to 2015 but failed to win a single postseason game. He also earned three Pro Bowl selections in 2011, 2014, and 2016. He set the Bengals franchise records for passing touchdowns (204), single-season passing yards (4,293), and single-season passing touchdowns (33)
In 2020, Dalton was released by the Bengals after they drafted Joe Burrow with the first overall pick. He committed to the Dallas Cowboys for a single season as a backup to Dak Prescott. However, he became the starter after Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5. He took part in 11 contests for the Cowboys and threw for 2,170 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In 2021, Dalton signed another one-year deal with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He started the season’s first two games before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for several weeks. He returned to action in Week 8 but was benched in favor of rookie Justin Fields. He played in six games for the Bears and threw for 1,012 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
In 2022, Dalton signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints as a backup to Jameis Winston. He did not see any action during the regular season but started in the NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams after Winston suffered a concussion. He threw for 271 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 30-27 loss.
In 2023, Dalton signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent to compete with Bryce Young for the starting job. Young won the competition but suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 that forced him to miss at least one game. Dalton is expected to start in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Andy Dalton Personal Life
Dalton married his college sweetheart, Jordan Jones, in July 2011. They have three sons: Noah, Nash, and Nicky. Dalton is a Christian and has been involved in various charitable causes, such as his Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation, which supports seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families.
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