Career Timeline of Andy Dalton: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Andy Dalton made an impact.

Andrew Gregory "Andy" Dalton is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as "the Red Rifle," he achieved significant success at Texas Christian University (TCU), earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year twice and becoming TCU's all-time leader in quarterback wins. Dalton was drafted into the NFL by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Bengals Consecutive Playoff Appearances

In 1981, the Bengals had one of the seasons that contributed to a comparison point with Andy Dalton's 2012 season. The Bengals made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1981-1982.

1982: Bengals Consecutive Playoff Appearances

In 1982, the Bengals had one of the seasons that contributed to a comparison point with Andy Dalton's 2012 season. The Bengals made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1981-1982.

1999: Bills clinch first playoff berth since 1999

In Week 17, Andy Dalton threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd with 44 seconds left in the game, eliminating the Ravens from the postseason and allowing the Buffalo Bills to clinch their first playoff berth since 1999.

2003: Carson Palmer Drafted

In 2003, Carson Palmer was drafted as the first overall draft pick, leading to his demand to be traded or released after Andy Dalton's arrival.

2007: Named TCU Starting Quarterback and Texas Bowl MVP

In 2007, Andy Dalton was named the starting quarterback for TCU and led them to a victory in the Texas Bowl against the Houston Cougars, earning MVP honors. He finished the season with 2,459 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.

2008: Leads TCU to 11-2 Record

In 2008, Andy Dalton led TCU to an 11-2 record, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference and seventh in the national AP Poll. He was named the Poinsettia Bowl MVP, finishing the season with 2,242 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.

2008: Tyler Thigpen catches a 37-yard pass for a touchdown

In 2008, Tyler Thigpen, then quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Mark Bradley.

2009: Perfect Regular Season with TCU

In 2009, Andy Dalton led the TCU Horned Frogs to a perfect 12-0 regular season, a Mountain West Conference Championship, a #6 ranking in the AP Poll, and a BCS berth. The team however lost 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State. He finished the season with 2,756 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.

January 1, 2011: Rose Bowl Victory

On January 1, 2011, Andy Dalton led TCU to a 21-19 victory over the #4 Wisconsin Badgers in the Rose Bowl, completing a perfect 13-0 season and finishing with a #2 ranking in the AP Poll. He finished the 2010 season with 2,857 passing yards and 27 touchdowns.

April 29, 2011: Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals

On April 29, 2011, Andy Dalton was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round, as the 35th overall pick, in the 2011 NFL draft, marking the start of his professional career.

June 29, 2011: Signed by Bengals

On June 29, 2011, Andy Dalton signed a four-year, $5.21 million rookie contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, which included a $2.29 million signing bonus and $4.02 million guaranteed.

2011: Dalton's Early Success with the Bengals

From 2011 to 2015, Andy Dalton led the Cincinnati Bengals to five consecutive playoff appearances and received three Pro Bowl selections. He and A.J. Green set records for a rookie quarterback/receiver combination in his first season. Also by 2015, Dalton had set Bengals franchise records for passing touchdowns, single-season passing yards, and single-season passing touchdowns.

2011: Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals

In 2011, Andy Dalton was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the NFL draft. During his first season, he and A.J. Green set records as a rookie quarterback/receiver combination.

January 7, 2012: First NFL Playoff Start

On January 7, 2012, Andy Dalton started in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs against the Houston Texans, marking the first time in NFL playoff history that two rookie quarterbacks started against each other. The Texans won, 31-10.

October 14, 2012: Career High in Passing Yards

On October 14, 2012, Andy Dalton threw for a career-high 381 yards and three touchdowns against the Browns, but also threw three interceptions in a 34-24 loss. This game marked the second in a four-game losing streak.

January 5, 2013: Playoff Loss to Texans

On January 5, 2013, Andy Dalton and the Bengals lost to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs by a score of 19-13, marking the second consecutive year the Bengals fell to the Texans in the opening round of the playoffs. Dalton overthrew a pass to an open A.J. Green in the fourth quarter.

October 13, 2013: Named AFC Offensive Player of the Week

On October 13, 2013, Andy Dalton rebounded from previous games, completing 26 of 40 passes for 337 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception for a 105.9 passer rating in an overtime road victory over the Buffalo Bills, earning him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

October 31, 2013: Loss to the Dolphins

On October 31, 2013, Andy Dalton passed for 338 yards against the Miami Dolphins but also threw three interceptions, including one that bounced off Mohamed Sanu's hands, resulting in a 22-20 overtime loss for the Bengals.

December 8, 2013: Victory over the Colts

On December 8, 2013, Andy Dalton completed 24 of 35 passes for 275 yards and four total touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts, earning an 89.2 QBR and 120.5 passer rating in a 42-28 victory.

2013: Season with Mixed Performance

In the 2013 season, Andy Dalton finished with 4,293 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, both career highs, but also threw 20 interceptions. His performance in primetime and intradivisional games raised questions about his ability as a "big-game" quarterback.

August 4, 2014: Contract Extension with Bengals

On August 4, 2014, Andy Dalton received a six-year contract extension with the Bengals that could be worth as much as $115 million, including team performance-based incentives.

2015: Successful 2015 Season

Andy Dalton finished the 2015 year with 3,250 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He was the first Bengal ever to throw for more than 20 touchdown passes with fewer than 10 interceptions in franchise history. Dalton's 106.2 passer rating ranked No. 2 and his 8.4 yards per attempt ranked No. 3 among NFL quarterbacks in 2015.

2015: End of Playoff Streak

In 2015, Andy Dalton and the Bengals concluded a five-year streak of consecutive playoff appearances.

2015: Bengals Historic Winning Streak

The Bengals began the 2015 season on a historic winning streak. In the season-opening 33–13 road victory over the Oakland Raiders, Dalton threw his 100th career touchdown pass, which was to tight end Tyler Eifert, in the second quarter. Dalton finished the game with 269 passing yards and two touchdowns.

2016: Dalton's 2016 Season Performance

During the 2016 season, Andy Dalton had back-to-back 366 yard games. Despite a middle-of-the-pack 89.7 rating through 13 games, Dalton had been sacked a league-leading 32 times and the Bengals were 3–7–1 and out of the playoffs. Dalton had 332 yards and a 130.0 passer rating in a Week 13 32–14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bengals ended the season with a 6–9–1 record. Marvin Lewis praised it as "the best campaign of [Dalton's] career", and he earned his third Pro Bowl recognition, replacing Tom Brady.

2017: Donations to Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation

In 2017, after Dalton helped the Bengals defeat the Ravens, Bills fans donated to the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation, exceeding $360,000 in less than a week, mostly in $17 increments to honor the Bills' 17-year playoff drought.

November 25, 2019: Dalton Renamed Starting Quarterback

On November 25, 2019, after being benched for three games, Andy Dalton was renamed the starting quarterback for the Bengals, replacing rookie Ryan Finley.

April 30, 2020: Bengals Release Andy Dalton

On April 30, 2020, after nine seasons with the franchise, the Bengals released Andy Dalton after selecting Joe Burrow as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

May 2, 2020: Dalton signs with Dallas Cowboys

On May 2, 2020, Andy Dalton signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys worth $7 million to be Dak Prescott's backup for the season.

October 11, 2020: Dalton replaces injured Prescott

On October 11, 2020, Andy Dalton replaced an injured Dak Prescott in Week 5 against the New York Giants. Dalton finished with 111 passing yards as the Cowboys won 37–34. Dalton was named the starting quarterback for the Cowboys going forward due to Prescott's season ending injury.

2020: Release from the Bengals

In 2020, Andy Dalton was released by the Bengals after four consecutive losing seasons, marking a significant change in his career.

March 17, 2021: Dalton Signs with the Chicago Bears

On March 17, 2021, Andy Dalton signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears worth $10 million, and up to $13 million in incentives.

March 29, 2022: Dalton signs with the New Orleans Saints

On March 29, 2022, Andy Dalton signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.

March 15, 2023: Signed with Carolina Panthers

On March 15, 2023, Andy Dalton signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers for up to $10 million.

September 24, 2023: First start with the Carolina Panthers

On September 24, 2023, Dalton made his first start with the Carolina Panthers after Bryce Young's injury, passing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

2023: Joins the Carolina Panthers

In 2023, Andy Dalton joined the Carolina Panthers, continuing his NFL career with a new team.

September 16, 2024: Named starting quarterback

On September 16, 2024, Andy Dalton was named the starting quarterback for the Panthers after they fell to 0-2 and Young continued to struggle. Dalton led the Panthers to a 36-22 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.

February 18, 2025: Contract extension with Panthers

On February 18, 2025, Dalton signed a two-year contract extension with the Panthers for $8 million, potentially reaching a maximum value of $10 million.