Panthers give quarterback two-year contract as Bryce Young backup plan emerges

The Carolina Panthers are bringing in a familiar face to continue mentoring quarterback Bryce Young .

On Tuesday, the Panthers re-signed backup signal-caller Andy Dalton to a two-year, $8 million contract.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal features $6 million guaranteed and a max value of $10 million.

The new agreement marks a win for both sides, with both the Panthers and Dalton expressing interest in a reunion this offseason.

Following the teams 44-38 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18, the 37-year-old - who was set to become an unrestricted free agent in March - voiced his desire to return to Carolina.

Ive loved it here, he said at the time.

Id love to be a part of this thing.

Id love to get to be part of it when it turns around and the progression of it and get another year with this group and another couple years with it.

But we got to go through the process of it all.

Ive had great conversations with everybody, so I look forward to seeing how it all plays out.

Dalton was far from the only person who hoped to see him donning a Panthers jersey next season.

Speaking to reporters on the heels of the regular-season finale, Young shed light on his tight bond with the fellow quarterback.

"Me and Andy are super close,'' Young said.

"From when I first got here, just being able to talk with him through things, him having perspective on a situation that I had never been a part of.

I was always leaning on him, always having conversations.

Super Bowl LIX: Philadelphia Eagles fans can celebrate historic win with Super Bowl LIX merch "You can't add up the hours we spent here.

...

And just being able to have someone that you can bounce stuff off of, ask how you see things, whether it's Xs and Os or it's a philosophical thing or stuff outside of football somewhere nuanced in between.

He is always there just trying to help me out.'' The close relationship that Young and Dalton developed was not lost on Panthers general manger Dan Morgan, who added: I know that Andy is a really supportive teammate, and I know that him and Bryce have a super close relationship.

So you definitely have to say that Andy was there for him and one of his biggest fans, and Im sure hell tell you hes super proud of him too.

Back in 2023, Dalton inked a two-year, $11 million deal with Carolina in hopes that the veteran could help with Youngs development.

Yet following a less than stellar start to the 2024-25 campaign, the 23-year-old was banished to the bench ahead of the Panthers Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders .

In Youngs relief, Dalton completed 26-of-37 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 36-22 victory over the Raiders.

Over five starts, he amassed 989 passing yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions before suffering a thumb injury during a multicar accident in the leadup to a Week 8 matchup versus the Denver Broncos ..

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