Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said Tuesday that Dalton is dealing with back tightness, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton's back issue doesn't currently sound like it could impact his Week 1 availability, but the veteran backup's status should still be monitored. No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is locked in as the Panthers' starter, but Dalton remains one of the league's most experienced backups and should be key as a mentor for the rookie. As long as Dalton is sidelined, 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral will figure to see increased reps behind Young.

Dalton is expected to open the season as Carolina's No. 2 quarterback after head coach Frank Reich announced Wednesday that he views Bryce Young as the team's starter, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. "Yes, he's QB1," Reich said of Young.

EDGE Analysis

Even though Young was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in April, Dalton still opened summer OTAs atop the depth chart, but it didn't take long for the rookie to pass him up. Young ended up working with the first-team offense during minicamp in June, and the Panthers evidently saw enough from the Alabama product in those workouts to convince the coaching staff that he wouldn't need to battle Dalton for the starting gig in camp. Dalton likely signed a two-year deal with Carolina in March with the understanding that he wouldn't be much more than an insurance policy at quarterback in 2023, coming off a solid if unspectacular season with the Saints in which he posted an 18:9 TD:INT and 7.6 YPA. He'll still profile as one of the more accomplished backup signal-callers in the league and should be able to keep the Carolina offense afloat in the event Young misses time at any point this season.

Head coach Frank Reich noted Thursday that Dalton is slated continue to work with the second team during next week's minicamp, while rookie Bryce Young handles first-team reps, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report notes that Dalton was listed as the starting quarterback during the first two weeks of voluntary offseason workouts and began each drill with the first unit, though Young saw more first-team reps . While Young has yet to be officially confirmed as Carolina's Week 1 starter, that's the expected outcome and his elevated responsibilities in practice represent "the next step" to that end, per coach Frank Reich. Dalton was brought in by the Panthers in March after starting in 14 games for the Saints last season, and assuming all goes as planned he'll serve as a veteran backup/mentor for Young this coming season.

Dalton will work with the first-team offense during summer OTAs, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This isn't entirely surprising given Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has had essentially two weeks to look over the team's playbook. It wouldn't be a shock to hear head coach Frank Reich give the veteran Dalton every opportunity to win the starting job out of preseason, if only to let Young really get his feet wet at the professional level, but given the sheer draft capital invested in the Alabama product, it's hard to imagine Dalton will see first-string reps for very long.

With Panthers having chosen Bryce Young with the top overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Dalton is expected to serve as the rookie's backup this coming season, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton, who signed a two-year deal with the team in March, brings plenty of NFL starting experience to the table, but given the Panthers' significant investment in trading up to land Young, the 35-year-old seems destined to work in a reserve role in 2023 while mentoring the team's young signal-caller. If the 5-foot-10, 204-pound Young struggles at all out of the gate or suffers any injuries, Dalton provides the franchise with a reliable insurance policy. However, for the time being, the 2011 second-round pick, who started 14 games for the Saints in 2022, is off the fantasy re-draft radar.

The Panthers have agreed to terms with Dalton on a two-year, $10 million contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal contains $8 million guaranteed. The Panthers will be the 35-year-old Dalton's fifth different team in the last five years after he spent nine seasons with the Bengals. Dalton started 14 games for the Saints last season, completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,871 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. In Carolina, he'll be the presumed backup to whichever quarterback the Panthers select with the No. 1 overall pick next month.

Dalton completed 15 of 25 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton got out to a solid start Week 18, as he went 4-for-4 passing for 59 yards and a 25-yard passing touchdown on the opening drive. However, he still wound up logging fewer than 200 passing yards for the fifth time in his 14 starts this season. The 35-year-old signal-caller finishes the 2022 campaign with a 66.7 completion percentage on 378 attempts for 2,871 yards and 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Dalton was expected to serve as the Saints' No. 2 quarterback after signing a one-year, $3 million contract with the team last offseason, though he took over the starting job after Jameis Winston missed time with back and ankle injuries early in the season. With Winston still under contract heading into the 2023 campaign, it's unclear if the team will want to bring Dalton back for another year.

Dalton completed 18 of 22 passes for 204 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton and the Saints were in surprisingly positive game script throughout the contest, so he wasn't asked to do much. He threw an interception just before halftime deep in Philadelphia territory, but Dalton otherwise managed the game effectively. Despite the victory, Dalton has now failed to throw for multiple touchdowns in four of his last five games, and he's topped 204 passing yards just once in that span.

Dalton completed eight of 15 passes for 92 yards and one interception during Saturday's 17-10 win over Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton attempted a season-low 15 passes during Saturday's frigid temperatures and steady winds. With top wideout Chris Olave (hamstring) inactive, the 35-year-old signal-caller was also let down with multiple drops by New Orleans' receivers. This included an interception late in the first quarter on a pass that bounced off the hands of tight end Juwan Johnson and directly to awaiting Browns safety Grant Delpit. Dalton went on to attempt just seven passes over the remaining three quarters of the game, as the Saints offense shifted to an option rushing attack between versatile quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Alvin Kamara. However, Dalton still accounted for all of the team's passing attempts in this game, so this unique game plan is unlikely to affect his status as the team's starting quarterback moving forward.

Dalton went 11-for-17 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 21-18 victory versus the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton logged season lows in passing yards and attempts during the Saints' run-heavy attack Week 15. He also wasn't involved in the team's longest play from scrimmage, as change-of-pace quarterback Taysom Hill connected with Rashid Shaheed for a 68-yard touchdown in the first quarter. However, Dalton once again showed why he deserves to be the team's starting quarterback, completing at least 64 percent of his passes for the eighth time in his 11 starts this season. He also connected with Juwan Johnson for two touchdowns during the tight end's return from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury. Dalton's fantasy upside should remain limited if New Orleans continues to utilize a two-quarterback approach Week 16 versus Cleveland.