Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee

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.

Sunday, January 5, 7:00 PM

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee completed 27 of his 41 pass attempts for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 18 win over the New York Giants. He also rushed for one yard. The 24-year-old made his first career start with Jalen Hurts (concussion) inactive and Kenny Pickett (rib) also sidelined Sunday. After throwing for two touchdowns during last week's relief appearance, he came back out and added two more scores during the Eagles' regular-season finale. McKee will likely drop back down to No. 3 on the depth chart during the Wild Card Round, but at the very least, he has shown that he can be a solid fill-in quarterback in the NFL.