In a move that was highly anticipated since the NFL season came to a close, the Cincinnati Bengals have announced they are releasing Andy Dalton. The move saves the team $17.7 million in cap space.
With the team drafting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1 overall in last week’s draft, this move was imminent.
Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was the 35th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. In his nine NFL seasons, he has passed for 31,594 yards and over 200 touchdowns. He compiled over 4,000 passing yards in a season twice, including a career-high 4,293 in 2013.
The 32-year-old had struggled over the last couple of seasons in Cincinnati. This past season, Dalton’s go-to target A.J. Green was sidelined for the entire season.
It will be interesting to see where Dalton lands as he has shown more upside than some of the other free agents available at the quarterback position. Much to his dismay, though, it will be unlikely that he finds a starting job.
