NFL

Atlanta Falcons Sign Veteran Quarterback Andy Dalton, Release Cooper Rush

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 19, 2026, 20:12 IST

The Atlanta Falcons have bolstered their quarterback depth by signing 16-year veteran Andy Dalton. The move follows the release of Cooper Rush, as the team navigates a challenging season marked by injury and inconsistency.

Atlanta Falcons Sign Veteran Quarterback Andy Dalton, Release Cooper Rush

The Atlanta Falcons have moved to strengthen their quarterback room by signing veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton. The acquisition, confirmed on Monday, comes as the franchise looks to stabilize its roster following a series of injury-plagued performances and offensive struggles throughout the early stages of the season.

In a corresponding roster move, the team has released quarterback Cooper Rush. The departure of Rush marks a shift in the Falcons' depth chart, which has been under intense scrutiny since training camp, where the club initially carried four players at the position.

Veteran Experience Added to Atlanta Roster

Andy Dalton arrives in Atlanta with a wealth of experience, boasting 169 career starts across 16 seasons in the NFL. Most recently, the veteran was with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released on October 9. His career resume is extensive, highlighted by his tenure as the primary starter for the Cincinnati Bengals between 2011 and 2019. Over his long career, Dalton has secured 84 wins as a starter, maintaining a 62.6% completion percentage while accumulating 39,793 passing yards, 254 touchdowns, and 152 interceptions.

Navigating a Challenging Quarterback Situation

The Falcons' quarterback situation has been defined by health concerns and limited production. Cooper Rush opened the season as the starter for the first two games while both Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa were sidelined with ACL and oblique injuries, respectively. During that two-game stretch, the offense struggled significantly, managing a league-low 16 total points.

The team's injury woes continued into Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, when Penix exited the contest with a rib injury. Tagovailoa stepped in during overtime, though his appearance ended on a difficult note with a game-ending interception. Penix returned to the field for Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. Despite being sacked five times during that defeat, the quarterback confirmed he finished the game healthy and that his ribs were not a lingering issue. With Dalton now joining the fold, the Falcons hope to provide more stability behind center as they look to improve upon their recent results.