Would Andy Dalton be a great option for the Patriots if Tom Brady left?

If Tom Brady was to move on would Andy Dalton be a viable option for the Patriots?

With the Bengals expected to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dalton’s future is no longer in Cincinnati.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media Insiders recently reported that the Bengals plan to work with Andy Dalton to find a suitable trade partner at the right time.

With that being said if the Patriots do in fact move on from Brady, would Dalton be a good option for them?

Dalton started 133 of 144 possible games for the Bengals in his nine seasons with the franchise. The 32-year-old is an above average QB still, but can he help keep the Patriots winning? That is the true question.

Peter King of NBC Sports recently made the argument that Dalton could be a viable option for the Patriots.

I’ll preface this by saying none of this logic matters if Bill Belichick has already decided he wants to start a new era that doesn’t include a 43-year-old quarterback who makes a lot of money. Belichick might want to begin anew with a quarterback he feels is good and who costs significantly less—someone like 32-year-old Andy Dalton; the Patriots would probably have to pay a third or fourth-round pick for Dalton, who has a year left on his contract and no future in Cincinnati. (The Patriots have two thirds and two fourths, including a likely third-round compensatory pick.) If Belichick makes up his mind that it’s time to move on from Brady, then my argument is moot. Dalton, by the way, would be my pick to start in New England next year if Brady goes. Belichick would love Dalton. He’s a quiet, intense, lunchpail Texan who makes no excuses. And Dalton would embrace the Patriot ethos.

Dalton has one season left on his contract with zero guaranteed money. Cincinnati would save $17.7 million on the salary cap by cutting ties with Dalton, either via trade or outright release.

Dalton has proven he can win with with talent around him. When the Bengals went 12-4 in 2015, Dalton was a strong MVP candidate before an injury ended his season.

Over his career, Dalton has 31,594 passing yards, 204 touchdowns and 118 interceptions. I am not saying this is Tom Brady style, but come on he would be a very solid replacement at this point. And he can likely be had for a mid round pick. At least give Dalton a shot to prove himself and if he cannot beat out Jarrett Stidham then at least you have a viable back-up.