Cincinnati Bengals: Releasing Andy Dalton was a no-brainer
Just a week after drafting Joe Burrow first overall in the 2020 virtual NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals announced they were releasing nine-year starting quarterback Andy Dalton.
After setting the franchise record for passing touchdowns and leading Cincy to five playoff appearances, Dalton - who is now 32 - will be looking for a new team for the first time in his NFL career.
For the Bengals front office and head coach Zac Taylor, dumping Dalton's salary, setting up Burrow to be the starter out of the gate, and looking for a cheap back-up were no-brainer decisions.
Entering the last year of his six-year, $96 million contract, the QB out of TCU was due almost $18 million this season and to be on the bench behind a rookie? That makes no sense at all.
The football world has suggested that Bill Belichick reach out to Andy Dalton and his agent and sign the quarterback on a one-year deal instead of starting Jarrett Stidham, but trying to guess what the New England Patriots will do is a crapshoot.
Although Dalton never won a playoff game while in Cincinnati, he should still be recognized as a franchise legend.
His commitment to the team and his skill were always there, he just didn't quite have the talent needed to make the Bengals a true Super Bowl contender.
Will he be on a roster come the fall you might be asking? Only time will tell.
