Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Jake Haener

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.

Thursday, May 22, 9:20 AM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (oblique) reportedly was injured while throwing extra passes after practice on Wednesday. He underwent an MRI which revealed a strain, but luckily Haener avoided an oblique tear. The expectation is that Haener is going to be shut down until the start of training camp. The Saints want to give him time to rest and want to avoid making this a bigger injury than it is. Haener is currently in a three-way competition for the starting quarterback gig with Spencer Rattler and second-round pick Tyler Shough. Honestly, Haener was probably already third on the depth chart, so this injury isn't going to help his chances. However, Haener should get a chance to prove himself in camp.