[jwplayer Ms1vBFZx]
The Cincinnati Bengals knew they had something special with Andy Dalton if the veteran had been able to stick around as a backup to Joe Burrow in 2020.
Dalton’s time in Cincinnati as a starter had clearly run its course, yet it would’ve been a big win for the franchise — and Burrow — if he had stuck around to play the mentor.
That wasn’t meant to be though and Dalton quickly joined the Dallas Cowboys in free agency to back up Dak Prescott.
When it comes to Dalton, the development shifts the conversation a bit in an interesting direction: Is he the best backup in the league?
Some numbers would certainly suggest so:
Highest career passing grades among current NFL backup QBs (non-rookies):
Andy Dalton – 71.5
Jameis Winston – 70.9
Joe Flacco – 70.7
Jacoby Brissett – 68.6 pic.twitter.com/f2IYrmWPSN— PFF (@PFF) June 9, 2020
In fact, most numbers would agree with the idea. Few teams have a backup with 133 games and a handful of playoff appearances under his belt, let alone 31,000-plus passing yards and 200-plus touchdowns.
Not to discredit the other backups listed or around the league. Brissett is immediately one of the better reserves behind Philip Rivers in Indianapolis. Both Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota still have upside as backups too.
But Dalton’s career numbers and abilities make it clear why the Bengals probably wouldn’t have minded if he stuck around for a year.
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