NFL Offseason 2019: Predicting Week 1 starting quarterbacks for needy teams

Washington: Andy Dalton

If Ryan Tannehill ends up as the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, then that means Andy Dalton has to find somewhere else to play football. Why not in a place where there is at least a bit of familiarity? Jay Gruden was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati for the first three seasons of Dalton’s career, statistically speaking, some of his most productive seasons as the starting quarterback for the Bengals.

Not only is Gruden familiar with Dalton, but he is also in need of a quarterback for at least the 2019 season, and probably beyond as Alex Smith suffered a devastating injury to his knee and has a long recovery ahead of him. While Dalton is likely not a long-term solution for Washington, he could fill in as a productive bridge quarterback. In Dalton’s second and third season of his career, he threw for 27 and then 33 touchdowns, the highest he has thrown in his career.

Entering his ninth season, Dalton will be 32 years of age and could still have years of quarterbacking ahead of him; maybe he is in need of a fresh start, and it appears that he may get one this offseason. If Dalton gets the choice of where he plays next, it would be logical for him to return to the coach that has historically gotten the most out of him.

Look for Dalton to be slinging in the nation’s capital in 2019.