Patriots Are Odds-On Favorite to Be Andy Dalton’s Next Team After QB Released by Bengals
- The New England Patriots are odds-on favorites to sign quarterback Andy Dalton, who was released Thursday by the Cincinnati Bengals
- The Jacksonville Jaguars are the second choice in the odds. Which team is the best bet? Is there a sleeper team to consider?
- All of the analysis of the odds and picks, as well as predictions on the outcome follow in the story below
Andy Dalton’s days as a Cincinnati Bengal were numbered. Thursday, his number was officially up.
Is it time now to count on Dalton becoming a member of the New England Patriots?
Oddsmakers are leaning toward that outcome in a big way. The Patriots are the -135 odds-on favorites to get Dalton’s name signed to a contract now that the veteran quarterback is a free agent.
New England lost #1 QB Tom Brady when he signed a free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month.
Odds on Andy Dalton’s Team Week 1 of 2020 NFL Season
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New England Patriots | -135 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +150 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +650 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +3000 |
| Washington Redskins | +3000 |
Odds taken April 30th
The Jacksonville Jaguars are also given strong consideration to pick up Dalton. They’re the second betting choice at +150.
The Jags dealt veteran Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears, leaving second-year man Gardner Minshew as their only QB with NFL playing experience.
Patriots Prefer Home-Grown QB
On paper, it’s obvious to see why New England makes sense as a landing spot for Dalton. The Patriots are at the end of an era with Brady’s departure. Dalton not only brings experience, he adds success.
His record as a starter in Cincinnati was 70-61-2. Dalton took the Bengals to the playoffs five times, although his postseason record is 0-5.
Patriots fans, who would you rather have at QB? pic.twitter.com/RKAH4fzrDd
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 30, 2020
There’s a caveat in play here, though, and that’s New England’s history when it comes to QBs. The Pats generally like to grow their own.
Brady was a New England draft pick. His predecessor Drew Bledsoe was a New England draft pick. Tony Eason was a New England draft choice. Before Eason, both Steve Grogan and Jim Plunkett were Pats’ draftees.
The Jaguars and Patriots are among the teams interested in Andy Dalton, per a source.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) April 30, 2020
On rare occasions when they’ve gone with veteran QBs from elsewhere as starters, Marc Wilson and Hugh Millen were disasters.
For all intents and purposes, New England appears prepared to give Jarrett Stidham his shot.
The Pats didn’t draft a QB. They didn’t jump at the chance to add free agents like Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston or Cam Newton. Does it make sense that they were waiting for Dalton to be available?
Steelers, Dalton Would Be Strange Marriage
Imagine Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona for Real Madrid. Or Brett Favre playing for the Minnesota Vikings after leaving the Green Bay Packers.
Oh, wait. Brett did that, didn’t he?
Maybe Dalton to the Steelers isn’t such an outlandish notion. True, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati get along about as well as Donald Trump and Democrats.
Steelers should sign Andy Dalton next year. I am starting my @ThePoniExpress /Jameis movement early on this one.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) April 29, 2020
On the other hand, Ben Roethlisberger isn’t growing any younger. And when Big Ben was out last season, Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges proved they weren’t ready for prime time.
Dalton would offer insurance behind Roethlisberger. And he could provide a future option. At 32, he’s got a lot of football left in him.
Jaguars Make the Most Sense
Football is very much an old boy’s club. It’s all about building relationships and Dalton most certainly has one in Jacksonville.
Jay Gruden is the new Jaguars’ offensive coordinator. The former Washington Redskins head coach used to fill the OC role for the Bengals and worked closely with Dalton from 2011-13. Cinci was a playoff team all three of those years.
Would think #Jaguars for QB Andy Dalton before #Patriots. Why? New Jags OC Jay Gruden was in Cincy when they drafted him. #relationships
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 30, 2020
Minus Foles, the Jags have no reliable Plan B at QB behind sophomore Minshew. Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone is insisting that Minshew is his guy, even as bookmakers are offering odds on him not being the guy.
Dalton would provide veteran depth in case Minshew doesn’t pan out. He could serve as a mentor and knows all about what it’s like to play QB for a team in transition.
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars (+150)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
