New England Patriots Rumors: Bill Belichick sees the best in Andy Dalton
The New England Patriots interest in Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is apparently very real.
It could be a little bit of nothing, or a whole lot of something when it comes to the rumors of the New England Patriots having interest in trading for Cincinnati Bengals veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.
NFL insider Peter King fueled this rumor back in January when he suggested that Dalton was a quarterback Bill Belichick would like to coach if Tom Brady took his talents elsewhere.
Well, with each twist and turn in the Brady saga comes more speculation on who would be the next guy if the six-time Super Bowl champion no longer sports a New England Patriots uniform.
What we know is that the contract situation between the Patriots and Brady is basically at a standstill, but what else would you expect when it comes to Belichick and contract negotiations.
What we also know is that the Bengals are actively shopping Dalton with the Patriots, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts reported as potential destinations. The team is actually leaving it up to Dalton as to where he wants to go and if Belichick believes in him, then why would he pass up an opportunity to play for a contender?
Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman further reawakened this rumor on Tuesday, highlighting Belichick’s belief that Andy Dalton still has some potential to be explored.
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"“Several teams have mentioned to me that the Patriots’ reported interest in Dalton is even real,” Freeman writes. “Bill Belichick, like others around the league, believes Dalton has untapped potential and that it’s been hard to decipher how truly good or bad he is because he’s played in Cincinnati.”"
The Red Riffle in New England?
As easy as it is for New England Patriots fans to turn their nose up at this idea, would it really be that bad?
First and foremost, Bill Belichick views Dalton as a football player who is competitive. Secondly, he has been successful as a starting quarterback who has had winning seasons with the Bengals. The slack against him is that doesn’t show up in the big games, but has he truly had the right coaching and team around him?
At 32 years old, he is certainly not the future, but simply a placeholder for when Jarrett Stidham or whatever quarterback they may draft in the 2020 NFL Draft is ready.
Could Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots win with Andy Dalton at quarterback?
They found a way to win with Matt Cassell and Dalton is much more talented and experienced. Surround him with the right players and he can certainly thrive under Belichick. One familiar target is already there in Mohamed Sanu.
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Of course, none of this even matters if Tom Brady returns to the only NFL home he has known.