Odds Favor Andy Dalton Being a Starting QB in 2020, But Not for the Bengals

• The Bengals are 0-8 this season, leading to Dalton being benched in favor of Ryan Finley for Week 9
• Odds favor Andy Dalton being a starter outside Cincinnati in 2020
• Dalton has +600 odds to be a backup for the Bengals or a backup elsewhere

With Andy Dalton and the Bengals holding an 0-8 record and headed for a high draft pick, it’s unclear where the quarterback will be in 2020. His time as the Bengals starter may have come to a close with the announcement that Ryan Finley get the nod in Week 9.

As far as Dalton’s team in 2020, the favorite in the latest NFL prop is that the nine-year Bengal will be starting in a new city in his tenth season.

Odds on Andy Dalton’s 2020 Team

Odds taken Oct 30.

Dalton stats aren’t terrible; he’s completed 60.4% of his throws, and has put up 281.5 yards per game and a 79.2 passer rating. But those stats are padded because the Bengals are constantly playing from behind and defenses are sagging off.

The most important number is the 0-8 record that Cincinnati has compiled this year with Dalton at the helm.

The Bengals are a virtual lock to have a top-five pick in April’s NFL Draft. Whether they choose Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow, or Justin Herbert, it’s becoming more and more likely that Cincinnati will select a quarterback.

Five passing touchdowns. One rushing score.

Tua Tagovailoa had an Iron Bowl performance for the ages. pic.twitter.com/HuBsuNuSdm

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 24, 2018

Last offseason, the Bengals finally moved on from head coach Marvin Lewis, and they’re expected to make a similar decision at quarterback after this year, whether it’s Finley or a new rookie pivot.

Which Teams Could Use Dalton?

The Broncos are one team that may be in the market for a new passer. Joe Flacco has been subpar this year and is out for at least a month due to injury. Earlier this week, he publicly criticized the Denver organization. The likelihood of the Broncos looking for a new passer this offseason is increasing. They likely won’t be picking high enough for Tua, Burrow, or Herbert, so they may decide to get a quarterback in free agency, again.

Joe Flacco says it feels like the Broncos are afraid to lose. pic.twitter.com/kN7tOMgSz8

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 27, 2019

Another possible destination for Dalton is Tennessee. The Titans have benched Marcus Mariota in favor of Ryan Tannehill, and while he’s played well in three games so far, he’s on a one-year contract and there is still half a season left to determine whether or not he is a long-term solution.

The highest-profile team that may be looking for a new passer is Chicago. Mitch Trubisky is averaging only 182.0 yards per game, and his 81.4 passer rating is only 2.2 points higher than Dalton’s. It’s unclear what the front office’s plans are for the quarterback position, but right now, the numbers say it may be time to move on.

What’s the Best Bet?

The odds favor Dalton being a starter outside Cincinnati next year, but the best value comes at the +600 odds on him being a backup somewhere else.

As far as draft prospects go, Tua Burrow, and Herbert are likely to start from day one for the teams that select them. Of the limited quarterback openings around the league, two or three will be filled by rookies.

The only QB in Oregon history to throw five TD passes in back-to-back games?

Justin Herbert. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/7DSfQaDg6s

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 15, 2019

On top of that, Dalton will be competing with other veterans looking for starting jobs. The biggest of those is Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater. His stock is at the highest it’s been since he was drafted thanks to a five-game win streak as starter in the absence of Drew Brees. The demand will be high for “Teddy Two-Gloves”.

This is what Teddy Bridgewater worked so hard to come back for.

Another standout performance for the QB! @teddyb_h2o@Saints | #Saints pic.twitter.com/GFJXs16z7g

— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2019

There is also the aforementioned Mariota. He has struggled in Tennessee, but at only 26 years old, a franchise may still see potential in the former Heisman Trophy-winner.

Additionally, Jacksonville will likely be looking to trade Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles thanks to the emergence of Gardner Minshew.

A large chunk of the league has a starting quarterback situation that they are currently satisfied with, and there will be a limited number of openings available this offseason.  However, in a league where Matt Schaub is still deemed a suitable backup, there’s no doubt that there will be plenty of second-string jobs around the NFL for Dalton.

Pick: Backup Elsewhere (+600)