Jets Reportedly Interested in Andy Dalton and This Feels Like an Unfunny Joke
By Andrew Gullotta
In a somewhat surprising twist, the New York Jets are reportedly interested on bringing another quarterback to challenge Sam Darnold for the starting job.
ESPN's Rich Cimini and Ben Baby reported that former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is now on the Jets' radar. The team already has three signal-callers on the depth chart in Darnold, David Fales, and newly drafted Florida International product James Morgan, so it is definitely puzzling why the team would add another player. Nevertheless, they apparently see value in Dalton.
Jets Interested In Andy Dalton https://t.co/eC9HQiNXPr pic.twitter.com/6lSj0aT4g1
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) May 2, 2020
Dalton could technically end up playing the No. 2 role hehind Darnold, but overall, signing him given how inconsistent Darnold has been up to this point will send a clear and destabilizing message.
All told, New York just isn't the best situation for Dalton to land. Not only would he have no guarantee to start right away, but he'd be surrounded by generally lackluster talent even if he did rise to the No. 1 job.
The Jets have some level of interest in former Bengals QB Andy Dalton, a source said. At this point, it has been characterized as due diligence. They could be looking to solidify the position, as their only experienced backup is David Fales (zero... https://t.co/3yWa3EbFUf
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 2, 2020
As for the Jets as a team, Dalton would make for one of the better second-string quarterbacks in the league. He would be an instant and obvious upgrade over Fales, and Darnold has gotten hurt the past two seasons in any event. But that won't do much to convince him to sign on the dotted line. It's simply a very weird fit that deserves scrutiny.