Patriots Haven’t Discussed Andy Dalton In Immediate Plans At QB

March 22, 2020

According to the Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the Patriots have not discussed Bengals QB Andy Dalton as an option in their immediate plans at quarterback.

Howe says something would have to change for New England to turn its attention to Dalton. The veteran is currently under contract with the Bengals for 2020 but the team is open to offers for Dalton.

Dalton had been speculated as an option for New England but this report seems to indicate the Patriots aren’t interested in a trade. The Bears were also linked as a suitor for Dalton, but Chicago ended up trading for Jaguars QB Nick Foles instead.

The Bengals will likely release Dalton at some point if they can’t find a trade partner, so it’s possible New England could be interested then.

With the departure of Tom Brady to the Buccaneers, the Patriots have one of the biggest needs at quarterback on paper of any team in the NFL. 2019 fourth-round rookie Jarret Stidham and journeyman backup Cody Kessler are the only two quarterbacks on the Patriots’ roster right now.

There are still a number of starting options with strong resumes available, including Dalton, Panthers QB Cam Newton and former Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, along with a number of quarterbacks in the draft, so the Patriots have options to replace Brady.

Reports out of New England have also indicated the team has a lot of belief in Stidham and is curious to see what they have in him in 2020, so it’s possible they turn to him as the starter next year.

Dalton, 32, is a former second-round pick of the Bengals back in 2011. He’s currently entering the final year of his seven-year, $97.09 million contract, which includes $17 million guaranteed.

Dalton stands to make a base salary of $17.5 million in 2020.

In 2019, Dalton appeared in 13 games for the Bengals and threw for 3,494 yards while completing 59.5 percent of his passes to go along with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 27 receiver out of 37 qualifying players.

We’ll have more on Dalton as the news is available.