Cincinnati Bengals: Can Andy Dalton Be the Next Ryan Tannehill?

There’s no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals are moving on from Andy Dalton. With the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft, they’ve been heavily linked to LSU’s Joe Burrow. Even with talks of the team trading down should a team like the Miami Dolphins come calling, there are whispers of them heavily favoring Justin Herbert as their backup plan. All this talk leads to them moving on from now starting quarterback Andy Dalton.

Dalton has been with the Bengals since being drafted in 2011. While he’s had amazing seasons, he never got them over the hump in terms of playoffs. With talents like A.J. Green to throw the ball to, he’s looked like a star from time to time. However late in the season he usually breaks down after the 10th or 11th game of the season. No one knows why this seems to be his trend over his career, but it happened all the time. Last season was the exception as Dalton was benched early in the season only for Cincinnati to return to the former starter in the final four weeks.

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With reports that the Bengals being willing to facilitate a trade with the 9-year vet, a fresh start could do him some good. Teams won’t be willing to pay top dollar for a 32-year old quarterback who’s on the backside of his career. If the Cincinnati Bengals want to make a move with Dalton, they might have to get creative with their deals, maybe one similar to the Miami Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill deal. Miami took on a large portion of Tannehill’s remaining contract to send him to Tennessee in return for late-round picks. Tannehill would go on the lead the Titans to the playoffs.

Speaking of the Miami Dolphins they could come into play when it comes to moving Andy Dalton. No, the Dolphins won’t trade for Dalton, but with three first-round picks and some money to move, Miami could get creative the way they have the past season. If Miami can work a three trade deal, imagine them moving up to the first spot, swapping 1 and 5 with the Bengals. To sweeten the deal they could take on a good chunk of the salary Dalton is owed and send a mid-round pick to Cincinnati. Three team deals don’t often happen in the NFL but if the Dolphins can move up to one while saving picks, they can flip Dalton to a third team and save them some draft stock while throwing money at their problems.

While it might be unlikely the Dolphins get involved in the mix, anything can happen in the NFL. Unfortunately for Andy Dalton, “anything” won’t be staying with the Cincinnati Bengals.