Andy Dalton has turned down a return to the Philadelphia Eagles, with the veteran quarterback expected to join another NFL team as soon as Monday (US time) while Jalen Hurts is sidelined by a blood clot.
The Eagles wanted to bring the 16-year veteran back after Hurts was ruled out indefinitely, but Dalton “politely declined”, NBC Sports’ Mike Florio reported on Pro Football Talk on Sunday night (US time).
Florio reported that Dalton “will be signing with a team other than the Eagles as soon as tomorrow”, but did not name the club. Philadelphia released Dalton on 9 October.
Dalton told the Eagles “no, thank you” when they reached out with an offer after Hurts’ superficial blood clot moved in his calf, according to NBC Sports.
Eagles scramble at quarterback
Tanner McKee started in Hurts’ place on Sunday (US time) as the Carolina Panthers beat the Eagles 25-14. McKee completed 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown, and the loss dropped Philadelphia to 2-4.
Read more: Jalen Hurts Out vs Panthers With Blood Clot, McKee to Start
Behind McKee, the Eagles have rookie Cole Payton and added Joe Milton from the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, Florio wrote.
Florio added that Dalton’s arrival at his new club “likely will trigger a current member of the quarterback room making his exit”, and that the departing player could then become an option for the Eagles.
Dalton’s short stint in Philadelphia
Philadelphia acquired Dalton from the Panthers for a 2027 seventh-round pick in March, as TSB reported at the time. He began the season as Hurts’ backup but was demoted to third string after his only pass attempt for the Eagles was intercepted, Bleeding Green Nation reported. That pass came in the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, when Dalton went in while Hurts was checked for a concussion, according to Newsweek.
Dalton, who turns 39 later this month, began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and has also played for the Cowboys, Bears, New Orleans Saints, Panthers and Eagles. The Cincinnati Enquirer also reported that he is expected to sign with a new team as soon as 19 October (US time).
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