The Atlanta Falcons are making another change to their quarterback room following Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Atlanta signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton on Monday and released Cooper Rush, the team announced October 19. The move brings a 16-year NFL veteran to Atlanta as the Falcons look to strengthen their quarterback depth during a season already defined by injuries and inconsistency at the position.
Dalton is expected to compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the backup role behind starter Michael Penix Jr., according to reporting from The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones. Rush, meanwhile, departs after starting Atlanta’s first two games of the 2026 season.
The timing is notable. The Falcons are coming off a disappointing loss to Chicago in which Penix was sacked five times and Atlanta fell to 2-4 on the season.
Dalton, 38, is one of the more experienced quarterbacks available to Atlanta. The former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 spent nine seasons with Cincinnati, earning three Pro Bowl selections while establishing himself as one of the franchise’s most productive quarterbacks.
Throughout his career, Dalton has also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.
Dalton’s experience is the obvious attraction. He has started games for multiple franchises, navigated different offensive systems and spent much of his career operating as either a starter or an experienced veteran backup.
His most recent stint came with Philadelphia, which released him on October 9. Dalton appeared briefly in a September 28 loss to Chicago, throwing an interception on his only pass attempt of the season.
Penix remains the starter, but the Falcons have already needed multiple quarterbacks this season because of injuries. Rush opened the year as the starter while Penix continued recovering from ACL surgery and Tagovailoa dealt with an oblique injury.
Tagovailoa’s arrival was supposed to provide Atlanta with an experienced alternative if Penix was unavailable. Dalton’s addition gives the Falcons another veteran option as they attempt to navigate the remainder of the season.
According to the team’s announcement, Dalton will compete for the backup role. That means his place behind Penix is not necessarily settled, and the competition with Tagovailoa will be worth monitoring.
Atlanta’s immediate priority is protecting itself against further injuries at quarterback. Penix exited the Falcons’ Week 5 overtime loss to Baltimore with a rib issue before returning against Chicago. He was sacked five times against the Bears, although he threw three touchdown passes and helped Atlanta mount a late comeback.
With a 2-4 record, the Falcons cannot afford to be caught unprepared if their quarterback situation becomes unstable again.
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