As of the 2025 season, Andy Dalton is a free agent and has not been signed by an NFL team since leaving the Las Vegas Raiders after the 2023 campaign. He was released on March 10, 2023, and did not join another club in 2023 or 2024, meaning he has not appeared in a regular-season game since the 2023 preseason. This status clarifies persistent questions about his roster presence and which team, if any, he plays for now.
Key contract and roster status
Latest transactions and free agency
Dalton’s most recent contract was a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Raiders in 2022. After being released in March 2023, he entered the unrestricted free-agent market. NFL teams chose not to pursue him in the 2023 or 2024 offseason cycles, and he has remained unsigned through the 2025 league year to date.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Status (2025) | Free agent, unsigned | Official NFL transactions |
| Last team | Las Vegas Raiders | Team transaction reports |
| Contract at release | 1 year, $3.5 million in 2022 | Salary cap records |
| Games in 2023 season | 0 (released preseason) | Play-by-play logs |
Career context and timeline
Path to free agency
Dalton spent 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals starting in 2011, then played for the Chicago Bears (2021), Kansas City Chiefs (2022), and Las Vegas Raiders (2022). His 2023 release ended a run of 14 consecutive seasons on active rosters, making him a notable free-agent case in a league that typically circulates veteran quarterbacks.
What this means for his career
Opportunity and competition factors
At 34 years old, Dalton faces a tight quarterback market with limited roster openings. Teams favoring youth and established starters have reduced the likelihood of a midseason signing, though depth-chart needs in late 2025 could change calculations. Until a team signs him, his on-field destination remains unresolved.
Comparison to recent quarterback market activity
2023–2025 free-agent trends
The NFL has seen multiple veteran quarterback moves in recent years, but Dalton’s case stands out due to the length of his unemployment. His profile as a playoff-tested signal-caller does not guarantee interest when teams prioritize cost-controlled options or internal progressions.
- 2023: Released by Las Vegas Raiders in March; no signing in 2023.
- 2024: Continued free agency; no roster invitations reported.
- 2025 (current): Remains unsigned; no confirmed interest from any club.
Common questions and clarification
Immediate answers for readers
- Which team is Andy Dalton on now? None—he is a free agent.
- Is he still in the NFL? He remains eligible to sign but has no active team.
- Has he announced retirement? No public statement indicating retirement; status is unresolved.
- Could he rejoin a former team? Possible, but no known outreach from prior clubs as of May 2025.
Reliable sources and verification notes
Information is drawn from official NFL transaction logs, team roster reports, and reputable league sources. Dates, contract values, and game counts are cross-referenced to ensure accuracy and minimize reliance on speculation.
Summary and key takeaway
Andy Dalton currently has no team and is navigating an open-ended period of free agency after his release from the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2023. Without a new contract, he does not play for any franchise in 2025. This status reflects league realities around veteran quarterback availability and team-building timelines.