Patriots Fans' Worst Nightmares Coming True as Andy Dalton Rumors Heat up Following Tom Brady's Announcement
By Michael Luciano
The New England Patriots face the possibility of replacing the greatest player their franchise has ever known, as Tom Brady announced he would not be returning to New England in 2020. Unfortunately for Patriots Nation, one of their preferred targets to replace him could be a sizable downgrade.
The Patriots are reportedly investigating the possibility of trading for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.
Text from an NFL coach yesterday: "Dalton has to be the Patriots' guy?" The fit makes sense if Bill Belichick wants a veteran to -- and this still sounds weird -- replace Tom Brady at quarterback. https://t.co/R5LvbyyjnC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2020
Dalton won just two of his 13 starts last season, throwing for 3,494 yards and 16 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. With Cincinnati poised to select Joe Burrow No. 1 overall in the 2020 draft, Dalton will likely be on the move.
To his credit, Dalton is a savvy, experienced passer who won't turn the ball over and has shown he can win you games with an offensive line, so he's not a complete tire fire. Still, moving from Brady to Dalton would be like switching from a Lamborghini to a Toyota Camry.
The only quarterbacks on the New England roster currently are Jarrett Stidham, who underperformed at Auburn and only threw four passes last season, and Cody Kessler, a career backup. It's safe to say an improvement is needed in some fashion. But in the form of Dalton? It's certainly not a great time to be a Patriots fan, especially after the team lost key defensive pieces in free agency on Monday.
Do the Patriots go get Teddy Bridgewater or Jameis Winston or get Andy Dalton? Always heard Belichick likes Dalton.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) March 17, 2020
Dalton is certainly a low-floor option, but his ceiling is quite limited. Replacing Brady, a situation most Patriots fans would have thought impossible just a few weeks ago, is now of the utmost importance for New England this offseason, and Dalton, sadly, might be the most realistic option.