History of Andy Dalton in Timeline
Andrew Dalton, nicknamed "The Red Rifle", is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. He played college football at TCU, where he set the record for most wins as a quarterback and led the team to victory in the 2011 Rose Bowl. Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011, Dalton has established himself as a successful NFL player.
October 29, 1987: Birth of Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton was born on October 29, 1987.
1999: Game-Winning Drive Eliminates Ravens from Playoffs
Despite a challenging season that saw the Bengals eliminated from playoff contention, Andy Dalton rose to the occasion in Week 17 against the Ravens. He threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd with just 44 seconds remaining, dashing the Ravens' playoff hopes and allowing the Bills to clinch their first playoff berth since 1999. This clutch performance underscored Dalton's ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
2003: Carson Palmer Drafted by the Bengals
Carson Palmer was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003.
2004: Historic Performance and Playoff Berth
Andy Dalton experienced both the highest highs and lowest lows in the 2004 season. In Week 9 against the Browns, he had a historically poor game, earning a 2.0 passer rating, one of the lowest in NFL history. He quickly bounced back, however, leading the Bengals to victory against the Saints and securing his first-ever win against the Texans in Week 11. Despite facing challenges throughout the season, including interceptions and a crucial fumble in the final game against the Steelers, Dalton helped the Bengals clinch a playoff berth for a franchise-record fourth straight year, showcasing his ability to overcome adversity.
2004: Early High School Career
Andy Dalton split time as a junior in 2004 playing for Katy High School.
October 19, 2005: Commitment to TCU
Andy Dalton committed to Texas Christian University on October 19, 2005.
2005: High School Senior Season
In 2005, Andy Dalton led Katy High School to the state finals as a senior quarterback and was named Greater Houston Area Offensive Player of the Year.
2007: Starting Quarterback and Texas Bowl MVP
In 2007, Andy Dalton became the starting quarterback for TCU and was named the Texas Bowl MVP.
2008: First Career Win Against Ravens and Touchdown Pass Reception
During the 2008 season, Andy Dalton achieved significant milestones. In the season opener, he led the Bengals to a 23-16 victory over the Ravens, securing his first win against them. In Week 3, he made history by catching an 18-yard touchdown pass from Mohamed Sanu during a game against the Titans. This marked the first time a Bengals quarterback caught a touchdown pass and the first time any NFL quarterback achieved this feat since 2008.
2008: Poinsettia Bowl MVP and National Ranking
In 2008, Andy Dalton led TCU to a #7 national ranking and was named the Poinsettia Bowl MVP.
2009: Undefeated Regular Season and Fiesta Bowl Appearance
In 2009, Andy Dalton led TCU to a perfect 12-0 regular season and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.
September 4, 2010: TCU's All-Time Wins Leader
On September 4, 2010, Andy Dalton became TCU's all-time wins leader, surpassing Sammy Baugh.
January 1, 2011: Rose Bowl Victory and Heisman Trophy Nomination
On January 1, 2011, Andy Dalton led TCU to victory in the Rose Bowl and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.
April 29, 2011: Drafted by the Bengals
On April 29, 2011, Andy Dalton was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the NFL Draft.
June 29, 2011: Signing with the Bengals
On June 29, 2011, Andy Dalton signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
July 9, 2011: Dalton Marries Longtime Girlfriend
On July 9, 2011, Andy Dalton married his longtime girlfriend, Jordan Jones, whom he met while attending Texas Christian University (TCU).
August 8, 2011: Named Starting Quarterback for Bengals
On August 8, 2011, Andy Dalton was listed as the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.
September 11, 2011: First NFL Regular Season Start and Victory
On September 11, 2011, Andy Dalton made his NFL regular season debut, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a victory against the Cleveland Browns.
November 3, 2011: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month
On November 3, 2011, Andy Dalton was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.
2011: Rose Bowl Victory and NFL Draft
In 2011, Andy Dalton led TCU to victory in the Rose Bowl and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the NFL draft.
2011: Rookie Season Success
In 2011, Andy Dalton's rookie season, he and A. J. Green set records for completions and yards by a rookie quarterback/receiver duo.
January 7, 2012: First NFL Playoff Game
On January 7, 2012, Andy Dalton started in his first NFL playoff game against the Houston Texans, becoming part of the first playoff game with two rookie quarterbacks starting.
October 14, 2012: Career-High Passing Yards in Loss
On October 14, 2012, Andy Dalton threw for a career-high 381 yards and three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns. However, he also threw three interceptions, contributing to the Cincinnati Bengals' 34-24 loss and marking the second loss in a four-game losing streak.
November 25, 2012: Victory Against Former Bengals Quarterback
On November 25, 2012, Andy Dalton and the Bengals faced the Oakland Raiders, led by former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. Dalton outplayed Palmer, throwing for 210 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Bengals to a 34-10 victory. This game contributed to Dalton becoming one of three players in NFL history with at least 20 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons.
December 23, 2012: Playoff-Clinching Victory Against the Steelers
On December 23, 2012, Andy Dalton and the Bengals secured a 13-10 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking Dalton's first win against the Steelers and the Bengals' first consecutive playoff appearances since 1981-1982. Dalton's 21-yard pass to A. J. Green in the final seconds set up the game-winning field goal.
January 5, 2013: Wild Card Loss to the Texans
On January 5, 2013, Andy Dalton and the Bengals faced the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. The Bengals lost 19-13, marking their second consecutive Wild Card Round loss to the Texans. Dalton's performance was marked by a crucial missed opportunity in the fourth quarter when he overthrew a potential go-ahead touchdown pass.
October 13, 2013: AFC Offensive Player of the Week
On October 13, 2013, Andy Dalton had a standout performance against the Buffalo Bills, throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 overtime win. His performance earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.
October 31, 2013: Mixed Performance with Interceptions and a Hail Mary
On October 31, 2013, Andy Dalton experienced both highs and lows in a game against the Miami Dolphins. He threw for 338 yards but also had three interceptions, including one that potentially cost the Bengals the victory. In the following game against the Baltimore Ravens, he threw a 51-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to A. J. Green as time expired in regulation but also threw three interceptions as the Bengals lost in overtime.
December 8, 2013: Impressive Victory and AFC Offensive Player of the Week Honors
On December 8, 2013, Andy Dalton led the Bengals to a commanding 42-28 win against the Indianapolis Colts. He passed for 275 yards and four total touchdowns, earning him his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week award of the 2013 season.
2013: Career-High Interceptions in a Single Game
In a tough matchup against the Ravens during the 2013 season, Andy Dalton had a game to forget, tying his career-high with four interceptions in a disheartening 20-0 loss. This game served as a reminder of the challenges faced by even the most talented quarterbacks.
2013: Record-Breaking Regular Season and Playoff Disappointment
In 2013, Andy Dalton achieved career highs in passing yards (4,293) and touchdowns (34), setting Bengals single-season franchise records. However, the Bengals lost in the wildcard playoff game against the San Diego Chargers, with Dalton throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.
July 2014: Dalton Welcomes First Child
Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan, welcomed their first child, a son, in July 2014.
August 4, 2014: Six-Year Contract Extension
On August 4, 2014, Andy Dalton signed a six-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals worth up to $115 million, with incentives based on the team's performance.
2014: Season of Highs and Lows
The 2014 season was a rollercoaster for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. After starting the season with a loss and a tie, Dalton had a career game against the Panthers, throwing for a season-high 323 yards despite the tie. This was followed by a shutout loss to the Colts where his performance faltered. However, he redeemed himself in Week 7 against the Ravens, leading a game-winning drive in the final minutes. The Bengals reached the season midpoint at 5-2-1, showcasing Dalton's resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.
January 20, 2015: Second Pro Bowl Selection
On January 20, 2015, Andy Dalton was selected to his second Pro Bowl, replacing an injured Aaron Rodgers. While his performance in the Pro Bowl was not as stellar as his regular season, this selection solidified his position as one of the league's top quarterbacks.
2015: Record-Breaking Season
Andy Dalton capped off a remarkable 2015 season by becoming the first Bengal to throw for over 20 touchdowns with less than 10 interceptions. His 106.2 passer rating ranked second among NFL quarterbacks, solidifying his place among the league's elite.
2015: Playoff Streak
From 2011 to 2015, Andy Dalton led the Cincinnati Bengals to five consecutive playoff appearances.
2015: Historic Winning Streak and Career-Highs
The 2015 season was one of historic achievements for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. He started the season by throwing his 100th career touchdown pass in a Week 1 victory against the Raiders. The Bengals continued on a winning streak, reaching 7-0 for the first time in franchise history, thanks in part to Dalton's impressive performance, including a career-high 383 passing yards in Week 3 against the Ravens. Dalton's ability to lead the team to come-from-behind victories, such as the Week 5 game against the Seahawks, cemented his reputation as a clutch performer. His stellar performances earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.
2016: Ranked Among NFL's Top 100 Players
In recognition of his stellar performance in the 2015 season, Andy Dalton was ranked 35th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016, as voted by his peers. This ranking further solidified his position as one of the most respected quarterbacks in the league.
2016: Overcoming Adversity and Earning Third Pro Bowl Nod
The 2016 season was a testament to Andy Dalton's resilience. Despite being sacked a league-leading 32 times, he still managed to throw for over 4,000 yards for the second time in his career. Although the Bengals finished with a disappointing 6-9-1 record, Dalton's individual performance, including a career-high four rushing touchdowns, earned him his third Pro Bowl selection as a replacement for Tom Brady, highlighting his consistent high level of play even in challenging circumstances.
March 2017: Dalton's Second Son is Born
In March 2017, Andy Dalton and Jordan celebrated the birth of their second son.
2017: Dalton's Foundation Receives Outpouring of Support from Buffalo Bills Fans
In 2017, Andy Dalton's foundation received a significant outpouring of support from Buffalo Bills fans. This followed a game where Dalton's performance helped the Bills end their 17-year playoff drought. Fans donated over $360,000 in gratitude.
November 26, 2018: Season-Ending Injury
The 2018 season took an unfortunate turn for Andy Dalton during a Week 12 matchup against the Browns. After throwing four touchdowns in the first half of a Week 2 victory against the Ravens, his season was cut short when he suffered a thumb injury that landed him on injured reserve. This marked a premature end to a season that had shown promise.
January 2019: Dalton's Daughter is Born
Andy Dalton and Jordan welcomed their third child, a daughter, in January 2019.
November 25, 2019: Dalton Returns as Bengals Starting Quarterback
On November 25, 2019, after being benched earlier in the season, Andy Dalton was renamed the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals in their game against the New York Jets.
April 30, 2020: Bengals Release Dalton
On April 30, 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals released Andy Dalton, ending his nine-season tenure with the team. This decision came after the Bengals selected 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 to serve as Dak Prescott's backup quarterback.
October 11, 2020: Dalton Replaces Injured Prescott, Named Cowboys' Starter
On October 11, 2020, Andy Dalton stepped in for an injured Dak Prescott during a game against the New York Giants. Following Prescott's season-ending injury, Dalton was named the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
November 3, 2020: Dalton Placed on COVID-19 List
Andy Dalton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus on November 3, 2020.
November 18, 2020: Dalton Activated from COVID-19 List
On November 18, 2020, Andy Dalton was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, allowing him to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys for their Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
2020: Release from the Bengals
In 2020, after four consecutive losing seasons, Andy Dalton was released by the Cincinnati Bengals.
March 17, 2021: Dalton Signs with Chicago Bears
On March 17, 2021, Andy Dalton signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.
March 29, 2022: Dalton Signs with New Orleans Saints
On March 29, 2022, Andy Dalton signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.
March 15, 2023: Dalton Joins Carolina Panthers
On March 15, 2023, Andy Dalton signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. Although initially named the starter, he was later surpassed by Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the draft.
September 24, 2023: Dalton Starts for Panthers After Young's Injury
On September 24, 2023, Andy Dalton started for the Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks due to an injury to Bryce Young the previous week.
2023: Joining the Panthers
Andy Dalton joined the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
September 16, 2024: Dalton Named Panthers' Starter
With the Carolina Panthers starting the season 0-2 and Bryce Young struggling, Andy Dalton was named the starting quarterback on September 16, 2024.