Report: Bengals to release Andy Dalton

The Cincinnati Bengals are releasing quarterback Andy Dalton, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bengals drafted LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in last week’s NFL Draft, and Dalton is in the final year of his contract.

Dalton is owed $17.5 million in base salary and a $200,000 workout bonus. The Bengals carry no dead money with the release. Cincinnati tried to trade him, but teams probably wanted nothing to do with that base salary, and knew the Bengals would eventually have to release him.

Prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, DraftKings Sportsbook offered odds on Dalton’s landing spot for the coming season. The New England Patriots opened as the favorite at +200, but the Jacksonville Jaguars have led in recent weeks — sitting at +250. Remaining with the Bengals was second at +300, while the Patriots dropped to third at +500.

The Jaguars come out of the draft with Gardner Minshew as the clear starter. They traded Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears earlier in the offseason and drafted Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton in the sixth round. The Patriots come out of the draft with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer competing for the starting role. They did not draft a quarterback following the departure of Tom Brady, but did sign Brian Lewerke and J’Mar Smith as undrafted free agents.

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