Falcons Release QB Cooper Rush, Sign Veteran Andy Dalton
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons released veteran quarterback Cooper Rush and signed veteran Andy Dalton, the team announced on Monday.
Rush joined Atlanta at the start of training camp amid injuries at the position and started the first two games of the 2026 season. In those appearances Rush completed 22 of 39 pass attempts for 229 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Rush said after his Week 1 start that being an opening-day starter was “special,” and he later served as the club’s emergency third quarterback after Michael Penix Jr. returned to the starting lineup in Week 3.
The Falcons signed 39-year-old Dalton, who is in his 16th NFL season and began 2026 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jonathan Jones of The Athletic first reported the signing and said Dalton will compete for a backup role in Atlanta. Dalton has appeared in 180 games with 169 starts, has completed 62.6 percent of his career passes and has thrown for 39,793 yards, 254 touchdowns and 152 interceptions.
Dalton entered the league as a second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his time in Cincinnati. He spent the 2023-25 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and started 14 games for the New Orleans Saints in 2022. The Falcons made the roster move as they continue to manage quarterback depth following earlier injuries.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Adding Andy Dalton gives the Falcons a proven veteran with extensive starting experience who can provide immediate depth behind Michael Penix Jr. Cooper Rush fulfilled a short-term need after injuries at the position, but his two starts produced one touchdown and four interceptions. With Dalton on the roster, Atlanta replaces an emergency-era option with a long-tenured quarterback capable of mentoring younger players and stepping in if needed, while the team maintains flexibility as it navigates injuries and roster priorities.