If the Jets wanted to add another veteran quarterback to battle for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, they will have to keep looking now that Andy Dalton is off the board.
Dalton signed a one-year deal worth up to $7 million with the Cowboys less than a week after hitting free agency. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that the Jets had some interest in Dalton after the Bengals released him on Thursday.
With David Fales, fourth-round pick James Morgan and Mike White making up the quarterback depth chart behind Sam Darnold, adding a veteran signal caller before training camp kicks off would bolster New York’s QB room.
Fales is familiar with Adam Gase’s offense but has little in-game experience. Morgan has the potential to become a solid backup to Darnold, but it’s asking a lot of a rookie quarterback to come in and lead an offense in a pinch — especially one drafted in the middle rounds. White is nothing more than a camp body, making him a non-factor in New York’s quarterback situation.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Dalton would have given the Jets the experience and skillset they need out of their backup quarterback. Dalton led the Bengals to the playoffs four times and has thrown for over 30,000 yards and 200 touchdowns in his career. That experience could have paid dividends for Darnold, who benefitted greatly from having grizzled veteran Josh McCown around as a rookie.
It remains to be seen if general manager Joe Douglas and company will actively pursue another quarterback this summer. Either way, an ideal target to back up the still developing Darnold is now no longer an option.