Andy Dalton is headed to Atlanta after turning down a chance to return to Philadelphia. The veteran quarterback is signing with the Falcons, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, while NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Atlanta is releasing Cooper Rush.
The move closes another potential avenue for an Eagles team trying to stabilize its offense without Jalen Hurts. Pro Football Talk reported Dalton turned down Philadelphia’s interest in bringing him back, and his decision to join Atlanta leaves the Eagles moving forward with Tanner McKee and recently added Joe Milton.
The #Falcons are releasing Cooper Rush, sources say. https://t.co/2zXirBLaMY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2026
McKee’s first start of the season did little to quiet Philadelphia’s quarterback concerns. He completed 26 of 45 passes
for 215 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday’s 25-14 loss to the Panthers. The Eagles managed only 222 total yards, including 35 on the ground, in their fourth straight defeat. DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert combined for 13 catches and 136 yards, but their returns could not overcome an offense that averaged 4.8 yards per pass attempt and allowed three sacks. Philadelphia also committed 11 penalties for 84 yards.
Dalton would have offered familiarity with the Eagles’ personnel and another experienced option. Instead, Philadelphia enters preparations for Dallas needing more production from its available quarterbacks while addressing the protection, rushing, and execution problems that contributed to another loss.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Andy Dalton is signing with Falcons after declining return to Eagles
