On Tuesday, just before the trade deadline, the Bengals announced that they’re benching Andy Dalton in favor of Ryan Finley. Afterwards, Dalton’s agent tried to explore trade possibilities, the quarterback says (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.). However, the timing of the decision made that impossible. 
[RELATED: Bengals Bench Andy Dalton]
“I don’t agree with the decision but I’m going do everything I can to help the team,” Dalton said, before adding that he just wants the opportunity to play somewhere.
Unless things change between now and the end of the season, it seems like the Bengals and Dalton are headed for divorce. His six-year, $96MM extension technically runs through the end of 2020, but the Bengals can cut bait on that deal with no cap penalties after the season.
Dalton, the 35th overall pick of the 2011 draft, made three Pro Bowls with the team. He also led the Bengals to five straight playoff appearances, though he never won a postseason game.
Speaking of timing – Dalton turned 32 on Tuesday, so this probably wasn’t the birthday gift he had in mind.
To who? The XFL
Broncos could probably use a vet, not sure they’d start him either tho
Would have been an upgrade for the Bears as well, though that’s not saying much.
Broncos, Dolphins, Redskins…
…Pittsburgh, just kidding
The other 3 would have been serious options though.
Dolphins got rid of their Dalton when they cut Tannehill. They’re gonna draft a qb. It’s tNking for a reason.
The dolphins would probably take dalton and a fifth just to take on his contract lol
Bengals could pick up his option to trade him in the offseason. He’s a decent qb when he has a decent line in front of him. There will be interest, and since the contract is non guaranteed, they can cut him if they don’t find a partner.
Dalton would be an upgrade in several places. Chicago, Miami, Denver, Jets as I don’t think Darnold is going to make it. …..I like Dalton but he is only so good. I mean , I don’t care if you put Brady behind this line, he would suck too. However , my judgement is on past years. At the end of the day you can’t say Andy Dalton in the same sentence with Brees , Brady, Rodgers , Ryan , Wilson and more and that’s who you have to beat when it matters. He’s proven he can’t do that. The more time the Bengals waste with him behind center the more time they waste finding someone who can.
How you gonna say Darnold won’t make it and not mention Buffalo/Josh Allen?
Allen> Darnold – Buffalo is 5-2 … I’ll take Allen by a long shot … he’s not proven yet but better
LOL Buffalo is 5-2 because of their D. New York is 1-6 because their talent is awful and because Darnold missed 3 games. Darnold is better than Allen right this second. Both aren’t good though. Buffalo could absolutely use an upgrade in the offseason such as Cam, Dalton, Bridgewater, etc.
Dalton isn’t an upgrade
The only upgrade in that list is Bridgewater. Everyone else is roughly equal.
No team would be willing to pay what’s remaining on his contract during the season. This trade would have been a salary dump type trade, i.e. Dalton + 5th round pick for a 7th round pick in exchange. No rebuilding team, at this point in the season, would be interested and contenders already have a QB.
He isn’t the problem, Management and that roster are the problem. He actually has decent numbers for the talent he’s had to deal with. Kind of shocked they benched him but I also understand they want to see what they got with the kid so might as well find out now. I think there is is gonna be a couple QB’s on the move next year and there definitely are some teams that should be interested. Jags should be saving themselves some money and moving on from Foles, Mariota will be on the move, Dalton, Flacco but I doubt he will get a starting job and if Brees doesn’t retire then Bridgewater is gonna get paid a lot of money by some team. I can see Dalton going to the Broncos or the Bears but I also can see the Bears pushing hard for Foles, that team does need some WR help but if they got a QB like Foles I think they’d be set.
Dalton to NE if Brady retires.
Wouldn’t be a bad pick up for TEN or TB if they move on from MM or JW.
Could see him in Denver if Lock isn’t ready to be full time starter next year
I’ve always thought Dalton would do well on the Patriots.
The Bengals will be in line to draft either Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. They need to see what they have in Finley in order to make a better draft decision. The team has needs at multiple positions.
Winner!
They had to make this move.
Ryan Finley is not going to turn this team around. The O-Line is too bad for that.
They have to find out if they lucked up and struck gold with Finley, though. If they did, they could conceivably pass on a QB and focus on OL and Linebacker in the draft.
Couldn’t find any takers?