[jwplayer rXjlHeyd-ThvAeFxT]
The idea of getting back a second-round pick for Andy Dalton sounds spectacular from a Cincinnati Bengals perspective.
But it might be a little too rich.
From a Bengals perspective, Dalton sounds worth such a return. He’s one of the better available veterans this offseason, he’s been nothing but a great representative for the team and city, holds many records, it goes on and on.
But from another team’s perspective, Dalton is over the age of 30 and represents a one-year rental at a cost of $17.7 million. With no guaranteed money left, he could just as easily be cut and available on the market without sacrificing any assets via trade.
Which makes rumors of Dalton’s value rough sledding. Lindsay Jones of The Athletic, for example, cites an NFL general manager who suggested Dalton could command a second-round pick (was this general manager named Duke Tobin?).
That sounds great. And maybe in a normal offseason, it would be a sure thing. But consider some of the options teams have available to themselves this offseason via free agency and trade:
- Tom Brady
- Drew Brees
- Dak Prescott
- Philip Rivers
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Jameis Winston
- Marcus Mariota
- Ryan Tannehill
- Cam Newton
Obviously, some of these names aren’t leaving their current teams and chatter around them is just leverage in negotiations.
But the point stands. Unless a team really falls in love with Dalton as the guy, they’ve got other options. And if the Bengals hold out for the best possible compensation, they run the risk of overplaying their hand as this passer-rich offseason fills all the vacancies and they’re left with merely cutting Dalton.
And keep in mind they want to do right by Dalton — cutting him after all the other vacancies fill doesn’t do that for a guy who still wants to start in the NFL.
Meaning, the Bengals have painted themselves in a corner. Teams know they can cut Dalton and will ultimately have to in order to shed the cap. Teams also know the unique approach in Cincinnati wants to do right by their former franchise passer.
So while reports of a big-time pick in the second round sound fun, the only way that happens is if the Bengals agree to eat a massive portion of Dalton’s contract during a trade.
Maybe that’s what ultimately happens — but the Bengals run a big risk by playing this game for too long during this particular offseason.
[vertical-gallery id=28536]