Falcons Sign Andy Dalton, Release Cooper Rush — SkimNews
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- Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran QB Andy Dalton and releasing QB Cooper Rush in a corresponding move, per ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- Dalton was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 9; he started seven games for the Carolina Panthers from 2023 to 2025 and has 169 career starts over 16 seasons with 84 wins, a 62.6% completion rate, 39,793 passing yards, 254 TDs, and 152 INTs.
- The Falcons have carried four quarterbacks since training camp: starter Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Rush, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
- Rush started the first two games while Penix (ACL) and Tagovailoa (oblique) were sidelined; Atlanta scored a combined 16 points in those starts, a league low.
- Penix exited the Week 5 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a rib injury, and Tagovailoa replaced him in overtime and threw the game-ending interception.
- Penix started Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears, was sacked five times, but reported afterward that his ribs were not an issue.
Why it matters: The Falcons are swapping to a 16-year veteran with 84 career wins after Rush's two starts produced a league-low 16 combined points and Penix has now been hurt in back-to-back games (ribs, plus his existing ACL recovery). Dalton gives Atlanta a proven backup who has started 169 games, while the release drops the room from four quarterbacks to three.
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