The Red Rifle will no longer be a Bengal after Cincinnati released the 32-year-old quarterback Thursday morning.
I mean, everyone knew this was coming right? The Bengals just drafted their savior in Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. It has also been reported that Burrow has had the playbook for weeks, is miles ahead of where he should be and could probably compete for the starting job out of camp.
Go figure. But this makes the Andy Dalton news that much less surprising. But it also leaves the question, where should the Red Rifle land? Here are my Top 5 spots.
5. Denver Broncos
Okay, obviously, Drew Lock is the future of the Broncos. He basically solidified it last year. But if the kid gets hurt, are you really going to put your season in the hands of Jeff Driskel? I think if the Broncos sign Dalton, it could only push Lock, making him compete and improve. Wouldn’t hurt to have a veteran QB in the room either.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Yea. They just drafted Justin Herbert and they have Tyrod Taylor listed as the starter right now. But it never hurts to have an experience third quarterback to either help along the youngin’ or push the other guys in the room. I think this could make sense if the money was right.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lol. Hear me out. I call this option, the “Emergency Plan.” The Bucs just signed Tom Brady, who has never played anywhere else in his entire career. You don’t really know what’s going to happen. They have the weapons for him, but one thing I’ve always said is TB12 doesn’t get touched. Never. I mean name the last time where someone put a really good licking on Tom. I can’t. But I always like to use this one for reference.
Anyway, this just never really happens because Uncle Billy made sure of it. So what happens in Tampa Bay if Tom starts taking some licks behind a line that allowed Jameis Winston to take 47 sacks last year. Does he get hurt? If so, they might need a back up plan. Hello, Andy Dalton.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Most of our readers will probably like this one. I mean, it’s a pretty set scenario. The Steelers still don’t know what they have in Mason Rudolph. Big Ben is set to make his return and everyone believes he’ll have a great year. But what if he doesn’t? What if Big Ben, isn’t Bg Ben anymore. They are going to need a back up plan and that back up plan should be Andy Dalton.
1. New England Patriots
Okay, I think this is the most obvious one. Bill Belichick does not have an experienced QB outside of Brian Hoyer and Jared Stidham is listed as their current starter. The big guy could use a QB and if it’s not Cam Newton, it should probably be Andy Dalton, plain and simple.