Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Jacoby Brissett

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, March 11, 5:44 PM

Free-agent quarterback Jacoby Brissett plans to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Brissett, who spent last year with the New England Patriots, will become the new backup to starter Kyler Murray in Arizona. Eleven of Brissett's 53 career starts have come with new Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as his quarterbacks coach in Cleveland. The 32-year-old Brissett started the 2024 season as the Patriots' starter under center as they waited on first-rounder Drake Maye. In his eight appearances (five starts), Brissett struggled in a lackluster offense without many weapons, going 95-for-161 (59%) with 826 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception as a low-ceiling game manager. He is a respected veteran backup, but the Cardinals offense will be in trouble if Murray misses time with an injury in 2025.