The Bengals aren’t in any rush to trade or cut Andy Dalton. And, interestingly, they haven’t ruled out keeping the veteran quarterback on the roster, according to head coach Zac Taylor (Twitter link via Elise Jesse of WLWT). 
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“Every option is on the table,” Taylor said. “We’re trying to put ourselves in the best position to make sure we’re prepared for next season and we have the best assets we can have. We think the world of Andy, obviously.”
It still seems unlikely that Dalton would remain with the Bengals on his current contract, which calls for a $17.5MM non-guaranteed base salary. If Dalton stayed in Cincy, he’d be playing second fiddle to a rookie quarterback (likely LSU standout Joe Burrow) and that’s a mighty expensive QB2. Meanwhile, Dalton has made it clear that he wants to be a starter in 2020.
Dalton was the Bengals’ starter from the jump, serving as their QB1 from 2011 up until he got the hook last year. In the midst of a lousy season for the entire organization, the Bengals benched him in favor of rookie Ryan Finley. Dalton got his gig back for the final stretch of the year, but he didn’t impress – he completed just 57.9% of his passing attempts with seven touchdowns against six interceptions.
On the cusp of his age-33 season, and coming off of his worst season, Dalton doesn’t hold much trade value at the moment. That’s the most likely explanation for Dalton remaining on the roster here in April. In all likelihood, the Bengals are waiting to see if other teams get desperate for QB help between now and the start of the season, which might allow them to recoup something of value for Dalton. And, if they’re unable to find a deal, they’ll probably cut him loose.
Love it when QB’s demand to remain a starter only because they have been one by default for many years for a flailing team.
Andy Dalton don’t back up nobody
Wasn’t he the best QB in the league in 2016
Coming soon to a theater near you: “No Country for Old QBs” starring Andy Dalton and Joe Flacco.
CFL?
CFL coaches look for QBs that have the mobility to use the wider dimensions of the Canadian field so that probably eliminates these guys from consideration.
Did you guys see Wrestlemania?
Outside of maybe the patriots, i cant see him starting anywhere. Teams are either giving young guys the bal to see if they measure up or have someone better starting.
I guess maybe Miami too if they are unsure of handing the ball right over to Tua as he is recovering from injury (assuming thats who they end up with based on most mocks).
I personally think the Dolphins will get Herbert. Either way, they still have Fitzpatrick as a stopgap though.
That is my bad i thought Fitz was on a one year last year. Then yea pretty much just the pats are really his only shot.
Roll,
The Dolphins still have Fitzpatrick and Rosen. I don’t think they would have any interest in Dalton who would cost more than either QB they already have. They are happy with Fitzpatrick being their bridge QB.
yup i mentioned yesterday that i mistakenly thought fitz was on a 1 yr deal last year but rosen is really a non-factor in this. He is just a body if all hell breaks loose..
Smart move by Bengals management….maintaining the greatest flexibility in the upcoming draft by keeping Dalton on the team. They are leveraging their draft position to see if somebody, like say the Dolphins, offer them a boatload of draft high draft choices for the #1 pick, thereby keeping Dalton for another year possibly while using those draft choices to upgrade the overall squad more than by picking Burrows #1. Got to think that they believe that its going to take a lot more than Burrows to lift them into overall contention so why not stockpile some good overall talent through the draft and wait until next year to draft their QB of the future!
i think everyone knows the bengals are going to grab a qb this draft. If they trade down i dont think they go below 10 though and try to stock pile picks for the number 1.
I also think they do trade AJ for a couple mid rounders at min and maybe a day 3 pick for Dalton if they dont agree to restructure for a year with offering him a chance to open the season as starter similar to what the giants did with daniel jones.
I think trading back to stockpile mid round picks is a losing strategy for the weak teams. A large part of the reason they find themselves at or near the top of the draft board is because they rarely find any talent with their mid round picks.
I agree with mid round picks being a bit of crap shoot, but you can get some pretty good guys (Terry McLaurin is an example from last year, Michael Gallup, Mark Andrews, Dak Prescott etc etc)
i dont think you are going to get Hopkins value for AJ at this point. At best you are getting 2nd as the highest piece of trade and Dalton is well mediocre to bottom of the pack for QBs right now and with no guaranteed money on the books for him will be cut if not traded and 15M for a backup is probably not happening.
Drafting Burrow or any QB is pretty much a given this draft, but outside of Mixon is there a spot that doesnt need upgrading? You need bulk picks and not just one really good player.
1 year punching bag isn’t a bad idea.
Dalton to the Chargers for a 3rd this year and a conditional next year
And why would the Chargers do this? They already have Tyrod Taylor who is better and much cheaper!
Nobody wants him on his current contract.
Ya I’m a bit suprised they wouldnt cut him and save 17 mil.
Prob still will after draft. No ones trading for him