Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Derek Carr

Tuesday, February 18, 4:15 PM

The Carolina Panthers and quarterback Andy Dalton agreed on a two-year, $8 million deal on Tuesday that includes $6 million guaranteed and has a maximum value of $10 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran signal-caller will remain in Carolina, where he's developed a close relationship with starter Bryce Young. Dalton, 37, ended up making five starts for the Panthers in 2024 after the team benched Young following his slow start. In his six appearances in his second year in Carolina, the Red Rifle completed 66.3% of his 160 pass attempts for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions before suffering a thumb injury in a car accident that gave the Panthers a reason to go back to Young to end the year. Young looked the best he has in his young career to close out 2024, so Dalton will be entrenched as his backup entering the 2025 season.

Tuesday, May 6, 11:13 PM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) is dealing with a right-shoulder that could cause him to miss the start of the 2025 season this fall. Per NFL Network's Jane Slater, Carr thinks he suffered the injury in Week 14 against the New York Giants, the same game he also suffered a left-wrist injury. The 34-year-old veteran was shut down for the rest of the year shortly after that with the Saints out of playoff contention, so Carr didn't really start ramping up his throwing until recently, when he realized his shoulder wasn't right. Slater goes on to say that Carr has had surgery on his shoulder before and would like to avoid another surgery, so he wants to see if he can play through it. He has been to New Orleans twice in recent weeks to meet with the team doctor and remains in constant contact with GM Mickey Loomis. With Carr's status up in the air to start 2025, New Orleans drafted rookie QB Tyler Shough in the second round.