Cincinnati Bengals: Should Andy Dalton be part of future?

So, What’s The Verdict?

Let’s be clear: the likelihood that Dalton is actually moved on from is probably pretty low. At the end of the day, he’s a relatively cheap starting quarterback — particularly for one not on a rookie contract — who often provides more positives than negatives for his team.

Unless Brown steps down as owner, the nauseating cheapness that has plagued this franchise is unlikely to ever truly leave, so even though cutting Dalton wouldn’t damage the cap (or Brown’s pockets), nobody should plausibly expect him to go out and spend a decent amount on a replacement. It also means the complacency that has long been afforded Marvin Lewis will likely end up affecting Dalton on some level as well.

The question of should Cincinnati move on from Dalton, though, comes down to what direction the team would actually go without him.

Based on everything discussed, the only way this would be a worthwhile endeavor is if the team spends a high draft pick (presumably their first-rounder, with some level of trading up if necessary included in the prognostication) on a quarterback prospect.

Nobody can know for sure if Justin Herbert, Drew Lock or any of the other top prospects at the position will become a true franchise quarterback, but if the Bengals believe in any of them this would be the perfect chance to move on from the obvious limits of Dalton and maybe have the sort of player who raises the ceiling for your franchise.

When considering any path other than that specific option, however, keeping Dalton as starter for now is the unquestionable best course of action.

It is extremely unlikely that Jeff Driskel will prove to be more than just a good backup option over the next few weeks, and nobody who could become available would both be a cheaper and better choice under center than Dalton currently is.

Someone like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh McCown will cost less but have lower ceilings and are more erratic Meanwhile, while players such as Derek Carr or Jameis Winston (if either is actually let go) arguably have more enticing talent, Dalton is currently better than either of them and may well continue to be the superior option for years to come.

Seismic changes must come for Cincinnati this offseason, but unless the franchise is ready to pick their next long-term starter in the upcoming draft, Dalton is the best option under center for them for the near future and should sit securely in that spot for at least another year.