New England Patriots rumors: Andy Dalton release paves the way to Foxboro

Are the New England Patriots the next destination for Andy Dalton now that his tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals is over?

The stars seem to be aligning for a New England Patriots and Andy Dalton union at least for the short term.

According to multiple reports on Thursday, the Cincinnati Bengals are releasing Andy Dalton a week after drafting Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

In cutting Dalton, the Bengals will be freeing up $17.7 million in salary cap space.  They are also freeing up a veteran quarterback who has been rumored to be interested in Dalton since it became apparent his time in Cincinnati was coming to an end.

NFL Insider Peter King, who first lit the match to the Patriots being a landing spot for Andy Dalton if Tom Brady departed, further supported his theory back in March, stating that if a trade did not go down and Dalton was released, the Patriots would swoop in if the money was right.

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"“I think I keep hearing no one will trade for Andy Dalton and pay him $17 million this year in the last year of his deal,” King wore in his column for NBC Sports, via NESN.  “If he’s on the street, Dalton at $7 million for a year in New England makes the most sense to me.  Hard to see Dalton going unloved, but he fits New England either short or long-term at best.  I still expect the Patriots, after signing Brian Hoyer on Sunday, to look into signing a veteran.”"

All of what King said back in March is becoming reality in late April.  Will Bill Belichick add Andy Dalton to the quarterback competition?

If speculation is true that the team does not think Stidham is ready, Belichick would absolutely bring in a veteran like Dalton in on a one-year deal.  With Cam Newton also out there, the now former Bengals quarterback appears to have more of the traits Belichick looks for in a quarterback.

First and foremost, he’s “a football player,” as King initially stated when introducing the idea.  Secondly, Dalton is a veteran with some proven success and also a quarterback who will do what the team asks of him.  There won’t be a need for much coaching up and like him as a quarterback or not, he is an upgrade over Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham at this point in his development.

With the team not drafting a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft as expected, there appears to be confidence in Stidham as the long-term option.  As for 2020, either Andy Dalton or Cam Newton makes sense.

Dalton, however, appears to be more of the fit as the bridge guy.  And as King has stated, Bill Belichick really wants to work with him.  If that is the case, Andy Dalton playing in a New England Patriots uniform appears to be a given.

This certainly bears watching.