Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Mitchell Trubisky

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.

Saturday, August 9, 7:21 PM

With reigning MVP Josh Allen sitting out Saturday's preseason opener against the New York Giants, the Buffalo Bills handed the reins to reserve quarterback Mitch Trubisky to start the game. The 30-year-old performed well in a 34-25 loss in the first half, completing nine of his 13 passing attempts for 138 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown to tight end Dawson Knox. In his final drive of the day, Trubisky found wide receiver Tyrell Shavers downfield for 58 yards to set the Bills up for a chip-shot field goal in the waning seconds of the half. Trubisky appeared in nine games for the Bills last year, mostly working in mop-up duty, and connected on 19 of 26 passes for 179 yards and two scores. Formerly a starter with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, Trubisky has spent the summer battling Mike White for the No. 2 role in Buffalo. White also played well on Saturday, meaning neither quarterback has pulled away in the race. The next opportunity to do so will come Aug. 17 against the Bears, who made the ill-fated decision to draft Trubisky second overall in 2017.