A quarterback swap in Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and releasing Cooper Rush, according to multiple reports on Monday. Dalton turns 39 on Oct. 29. He hit the market on Oct. 9, when the Philadelphia Eagles let him go after a season in which he threw exactly one pass, an interception in a Week 3 loss at Chicago.
Dalton’s résumé is long. He spent his first nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (2011 to 2019) and made three Pro Bowls there. Stops in Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina and Philadelphia followed. Across 180 games he has 39,793 passing yards, 254 touchdowns and 152 interceptions, with an 84-83-2 record as a starter.
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Free for 2 weeks.
Why Rush is out
Rush, 32, started Atlanta’s first two games while Michael Penix Jr. recovered from ACL surgery. The Falcons lost both, to Carolina and Pittsburgh. His season line explains the decision: 22 of 39 for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Rush is a longtime Cowboys backup who also made two starts for the Baltimore Ravens last season. A one-to-four touchdown-to-interception ratio is hard to defend in any role.
A crowded room that just got older
Atlanta is 2-4 and the quarterback depth chart is already busy. Tua Tagovailoa and undrafted rookie Jack Strand are also on the roster. Dalton gives the Falcons a steady veteran who has seen every defensive look the NFL has, but his last real run as a starter is behind him. This reads as insurance, not a statement.
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