The Bengals are heading into a transitional year. After a very disappointing 2018 season, the Bengals finally moved on from longtime coach Marvin Lewis. To replace him, they hired 35-year-old whizkid Zac Taylor away from the Rams.
Part of the reason 2018 was so disappointing was because of the season-ending injury quarterback Andy Dalton suffered. Fortunately for Cincinnati, Dalton is fully recovered from his thumb surgery and will be a full-go when OTA practices start, according to Geoff Hobson of the team’s official site. There were murmurs earlier this offseason that the team could look to move on from Dalton and go younger at the position, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. That being said, owner Mike Brown made it clear the team wasn’t in a rush to extend him recently.
“I think it’s a good year for (Dalton) to show like he can, like we think he will. After he re-establishes himself we would want to get together with him and see if we can extend it. I think Andy is a good player and that he will rebound off last year. He was hurt. We lost so many other pieces. It fell apart, but if he’s healthy and we stay healthy enough, I have confidence in him,” Brown said, issuing a slightly less than ringing endorsement.
Dalton was having a decent enough season before going down, but unfortunately he hasn’t been anything better than decent the past few years. Even though the team has publicly proclaimed confidence in him, it still wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bengals draft a quarterback early later this month.
The Bengals’ offense completely collapsed once Jeff Driskel took over following the injury, which at least showed the Bengals’ struggles weren’t all about Dalton. He wasn’t the only high profile Bengal to have their season cut short with an injury, as star receiver A.J. Green was limited to just nine games. Green struggled with a toe injury all year and was hurt a lot in 2016 as well, but Brown said at the same time he made his comments on Dalton that the team wanted to extend Green. Hobson writes that he expects the Bengals “to ease Green along” this offseason, whereas Dalton should be a full-go for practices.
If Dalton doesn’t make major strides under Taylor, it’s highly possible if not probable that the team will move on next offseason. One thing that’s helped him stick this far has been his reasonable contract. Dalton has two years left on his deal with a total of $33.5MM owed to him. It’s a pivotal year for Dalton, and the fact that he’ll be fully healthy to begin picking up the new system is a very positive development.
Shucks … I was hoping he was out for the year. The Bengals need to do full face lift. Not just a nose job in Taylor. Move on from Dalton. We’ve seen Daltons best and while it wasn’t terrible we need more than “ Trent Dilferish” less a Super Bowl performance. Trade for Wilson or draft Lock or Haskins.
Not terrible??? What are you smoking he’s had 3 seasons where he’s thrown at least 16 INTs and was on track to throw 16 last year, he’s only thrown 30 TDs or more in a season once, has only thrown for more than 4,000 yards twice.
At least he should be healthy enough to lead the Bengals to a 4-12 record and a legit shot at the top 3 QBs in 2020.
Yes, Andy Dalton was not terrible from 2011-2015. I dont if care they never won a playoff game. He was the QB on a team that made the playoffs 5 years in a row and thats not terrible. No one is saying he is Aaron Rodgers.
You can not be serious, look at his stats from 2011-2015 don’t fool yourself they didn’t make the playoffs because of him. He’s horrible and the stats prove it. He’s thrown 16,17 and 20 INTS in seasons how on earth is that not horrible??? If he was on any other team he would’ve been cut a long long time ago
There are a lot more than simply TD-Interception ratios to look at for a QB. Was he prone to picks? Sure. The analytics at PFF had him graded as above average for all those years except 2014, and even had him at the #12 QB last season. The analytics are more telling than the counting stats. Again no one is saying the dude was elite. But was he terrible at his best, no. You really dont know what terrible means.
Yeah I know there’s more than TD-interception ratio which is why I included his yards or lack of yards. The fact that he was ranked 12 says it all, Trubisky, Mayfield, Watson, Prescott, Luck, Rivers, Mahomes, Goff, Wilson, Wentz, Cousins, Newton, Big Ben, Ryan, Brees, Rodgers, Brady. You can put Stafford Carr and Dalton in any order but near the bottom 1/3 isn’t good, granted not terrible but he’s closer to bad than good
All those guys had a better season.
I know in 2019 he isn’t that good anymore. The terrible tier is Gabbert, Peterman, Osweiler, Bortles. Dalton has never been in that tier and isn’t even now
I agree. Without a supporting cast even Brady looks only adequate.
but those numbers are historically good for cincy
I don’t smoke … but thanks … there’s not many QBs I wouldn’t take over Dalton. Only a few … I get what your saying but he did help lead them to the playoffs severs times. That’s what I mean by not terrible. There are worse … ( Tannehill, Marriota , ) … just saying If we are going to hit the reset button … then let’s do it full force … The Bengals have some playmakers on offense if the line is in order … I would rather see a change at QB than the same old Red Rifle.