The deal consists of $6M in totally assured cash with a most worth of $10M. Dalton shall be underneath contract in Carolina by means of the 2026 season and may proceed his mentorship of former No. 1 general choose Bryce Younger, with whom he has a “shut relationship,” in accordance with Schefter.
Each quarterbacks earned reward from inside and with out the Panthers group for a way they dealt with the tumultuous 2024 season. Younger was benched after simply two video games with Dalton beginning Weeks 3 by means of 7. In that span, he accomplished 106 of his 159 passes for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and 6 interceptions. The Panthers went 1-4 with Dalton underneath heart earlier than a car crash sidelined him in Week 8, giving Younger one other alternative to begin. Dalton missed solely one sport, however Younger held onto the beginning gig on a week-to-week foundation. After increasingly positive pronouncements from head coach Dave Canales, Younger was lastly declared the full-time starter to shut out the season.
The Panthers have backed Young as their starter in 2025, however the maturity and expertise Dalton demonstrated final season was price maintaining round. He’s coming into his fifteenth season and can flip 38 years outdated in October, so this could possibly be his final contract. With at the least $6M coming his means, Dalton’s profession earnings shall be at the least $115M, per OverTheCap, and will attain $120M if he hits the utmost worth of the deal.
Dalton’s extension with the Panthers will hold him from hitting free company, the place he was anticipated to attract curiosity within the backup quarterback market. The Dolphins explored buying and selling for Dalton final September, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and were expected to renew their pursuit if he grew to become accessible in March. As an alternative, they are going to possible pivot to Marcus Mariota, supplied the Commanders don’t observe the Panthers’ lead and re-sign their veteran backup.
