Cincinnati Bengals Cut Ties With Andy Dalton

The Cincinnati Bengals had the worst record in the league last year and that allowed them to grab QB Joe Burrow (LSU) with the first overall pick in this year’s draft. By selecting Burrow, the Bengals felt that it was time to release longtime QB, Andy Dalton. On Thursday, the Bengals did just that, but Dalton knew it was coming far before the draft.

After the last game of the 2019 season, the Bengals held their final team meeting and after the meetings were over, Dalton cleaned out his locker and shook hands with all of the media, players, and coaching staff. He knew at that point the Bengals were going after a QB with the first pick and that his time with the team was coming to an end.

The 32-year-old quarterback has been with the team for nine seasons and he led them to the playoffs the first five years of tenure, but Cincy has not been back to the postseason in each of the last four years. Dalton was 0-4 in the postseason, throwing for just 873 yards with one TD and six INTs in those games. He missed the 2015 playoffs due to injury, but we note that the Bengals lost that game as well. The Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1990.

Mr. Dalton, who was drafted in the 2nd round back in 2011, has thrown for 31, 594 yards with 204 TDs and 108 INTs in his regular-season career with the Bungles. He has had 20 4th-quarter comebacks and 24 game-winning drives, so he has had a solid career with them. Dalton’s career passer rating is 87.5. His best passer rating was 106.2, which came back in 2015. Andy’s most yards he threw in a season was 4.293, which came back in 2013 and his most TDs in a season was that year as well at 33.

So, what is next for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback? There are some teams that still need a QB and getting a fresh start by leaving Cincinnati could be just what Dalton needs. The one team that comes to mind is the New England Patriots, who no longer have Tom Brady. They also didn’t look to grab a QB in the draft. New England has confidence in Jarrett Stidham but still, Dalton could be a valuable mentor for the young QB and he would also be a strong backup should Stidham struggle or get hurt.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are another team that could be looking for a QB. They did take Jake Luton in the draft but he was just a 6th round pick and Dalton would give the Jags much more experience in the backup role. Many feel that the Jags have the worst quarterback situation in the league, so picking up Dalton would be huge for them.

Stayed tuned and we will keep you posted on where he ends up.