With the Cincinnati Bengals releasing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, could Dalton be an option for the New England Patriots in 2020?
One thing is for certain for the New England Patriots in that there will be a new quarterback under center during the 2020 NFL season for the first time in two decades. With legendary Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaving Foxborough via free agency this offseason to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England is now faced with a decision within its quarterback position and where it would like to go from here both this season and into the future.
After deciding not to draft a quarterback during the three-day NFL Draft on April 23-25, the Patriots currently have two quarterbacks to choose from on their current roster. Second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham has been viewed as the favorite to take over for Brady in New England, with veteran Brian Hoyer likely serving as Stidham’s backup.
But with a spot still open on the depth chart at quarterback in Foxborough, the Patriots could still look via free agency to add to the quarterback room before the 2020 regular season commences.
With a few solid options still out on the open market, there is not yet another veteran quartback on the open market looking for a new team this season.
On Thursday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Cincinnati Bengals released veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton, who was scheduled to make nearly $18 in Cincinnati in 2020, was released after the team drafted LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Bengals are releasing QB Andy Dalton, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2020
Although it seems like New England is going to wait until the 2020 campaign inches closer to make an ultimate decision at quarterback and then could add to that position via free agency at that time, Dalton in Foxborough is an intriguing idea and he could be a cheap target to sign.
Dalton and the Patriots have been linked together even before the quarterback was released by the Bengals this week. Many view the veteran as a player that would fit the mold of a Bill Belichick-style offensive system.
In 2019, Dalton completed his ninth season in the NFL and with the Bengals after he was drafted by Cincinnati out of TCU in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
During the year, Dalton appeared in a total of 13 games, finishing the campaign with 3,494 passing yards and a completion percentage of 59.5 percent. While throwing 14 interceptions, he threw for 16 touchdowns while also rushing for a total of 73 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Dalton has put together a relatively impressive career to this point while being on a team in Cincinnati that has underperformed for a bulk of his time as a professional. The 32-year-old finishes his Bengals career with three Pro Bowl selections and five playoff appearances, while also leaving as the franchise’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns (204), most game-winning drives (24) and is second in Bengals history in passing yards (31,594).
There are perhaps other more impressive names on the free-agent market that the Patriots could eventually look at before the upcoming season kicks off and if they decide that Stidham or Hoyer won’t have what it takes to lead the franchise during the start of the post-Brady era. Most notably, one of the players still looking for a team is former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
But Dalton in New England is a fun thought, both due to the fact that he would likely now be a cheap option and the team could take a flier on the veteran to take over either as a starter this season or to play the role as a solid backup option at worst.
With the Patriots entering a time where they will have an open competition at quarterback, Dalton could be an intriguing option to add to the mix this offseason.