Andy Dalton makes too much sense for Patriots, Jaguars

Andy Dalton is a better quarterback than most believe.

Yes, the 2-14 Cincinnati Bengals released him on Thursday. Yes, he’s not an elite quarterback, nor has he ever been. Although, he’s still better than a good amount of current starters on depth charts around the NFL.

Andy Dalton, 32, played nine years with the Bengals after being taken in the second round of the 2011 Draft out of TCU. He threw for 31,594 yards and 204 touchdowns against 118 interceptions. Surprisingly, Dalton has 22 rushing scores to his name as well.

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Now a free agent for the first time, Dalton can survey his options. They aren’t plentiful, with most teams having either fulfilled their starting quarterback spots either in free agency, the draft or as holdovers from 2019. Still, two make the most sense.

The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Let’s start in Duval. The Jaguars have Gardner Minshew and nothing else after sending Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick. While Jacksonville is rebuilding and Minshew is going to get his chance, it makes sense to bring in a veteran who can help the youngster along. If Dalton doesn’t have any opportunities to start elsewhere, this could be an attractive spot.

Furthermore, should Minshew end up coming out of the lineup, Dalton can restate his value on a short-term deal before hitting free agency again in 2021.

Then there are the Patriots. New England is currently rolling with the unenviable duo of second-year man Jarrett Stidham and veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer. Neither are going to have the fans in Foxborough excited.

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While Stidham has some perceived upside and Hoyer has been in head coach Bill Belichick’s system before, Dalton Ould era clear upgrade over either. It’s not hard to imagine Belichick wanting to prove a few points this season, and having Dalton at the controls would absolutely help his chances.

In what appears to be a wide open AFC East, Dalton would have a case the best quarterback in the division and certainly the most experienced. New England could likely get the former Bengal on the cheap since it’s already May, and Dalton would have a chance to finally win a playoff game, showcase his talents on some big stages and again, earn a larger payday either with the Patriots or elsewhere down the line.

Thursday was a tough day for Dalton, but there’s a good chance better ones may be ahead.