On March 18th, something happened to Andy Dalton that had never happened throughout his 15-year NFL career.

He was traded.

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired the veteran signal-caller from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick.

"It was a little bit of a surprise. I didn't really know what was going to happen," Dalton told reporters after Tuesday's Training Camp practice.

"Normally every other time it's been free agency where I've gotten to choose where I'm going," Dalton said. "I'm excited to be here. Good to be part of a great organization, an organization that understands winning."

After nine years as the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, Dalton spent the next three seasons with the Cowboys, Bears, and Saints before signing with the Panthers in 2023. At 38 years old, Dalton has had to adjust to being a backup quarterback.

"It's definitely a different role," Dalton said. "But the way you go about the week and the way you prepare, it's all the same. And fortunately for me, I have a process of how I handle the week, how I watch my film, how I get ready, prepare, study the game plan, all the things. None of that changes."

For Dalton, it's all about staying ready.

Entering his 16th NFL season, the "Red Rocket" has been splitting reps with the Eagles' 2023 sixth-round draft pick Tanner McKee. Instead of one quarterback playing with the second team while the other plays with the third, the two have been rotating in and out of the role.

"Both getting a chance to be out there with the twos, and next day you're with the threes," Dalton said. "I think it's been good for both of us."

Instead of knowing when they will go in and what plays they will run, the competition simulates the reality of being a backup quarterback: You don't know when your name will be called and you must be ready.

"I was joking with Tanner," Dalton said. "I was like, 'This is just real life right here. You don't know when you're going to be going in.' I think it's a good thing ... when you don't know when you're going in, you've got to be ready for all of it. So, I think it only makes you better."

While this is Dalton's first time experiencing this kind of rotation, the offense under new Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion is familiar.

"I feel really comfortable with this offense. And like I said, I've been in an offense similar before," Dalton said. "From the time when I was in my last year in Cincinnati when Zac Taylor came from the Rams, and then the time in Carolina too, we had Thomas Brown who came from the Rams and then with Dave Canales (came) over ... everybody's got their own little variation of it."

In a backup role, Dalton has been focused on supporting the starter, Jalen Hurts. The veteran has been impressed with Hurts and his ownership of the offense, despite all the changes.

"Jalen and I, we've had a good relationship so far, and it's only going to grow and keep getting better," Dalton said. "Obviously, I've played a long time. I've seen a lot of different things in this league, and I feel like I can bring some value to the room."

For now, Dalton will continue competing during Training Camp, staying ready for his reps. The TCU alumnus has had his moments, such as finding running back Will Shipley on a wheel route for a touchdown during Monday's indoor practice, building chemistry with first-team receivers like DeVonta Smith during team drills, and overall showing great accuracy and command of the offense.

One of the oldest players in the league, the red head still has his fire.

"I still have a lot of fun doing it," Dalton said. "Just coming out here to camp and putting pads on for the first time, this Training Camp, all right, we're back to playing football again. I'm still enjoying it.

"I think there's some things with being in the locker room, being with young guys, trying to make an impact far beyond just the game of football. The conversations that you're able to have and the relationships that you're able to build, I mean, there's nothing else like this. I'm trying to soak it all in as much as I can, trying to get the most out of the game, because, obviously, once you're done, you're done." - Written by Caroline Connor