Maybe the Cincinnati Bengals trading Andy Dalton to the New England Patriots isn’t so unrealistic after all.
Back when we analyzed the idea of Dalton joining the Patriots via trade, the main crux of the argument that made it unlikely was the idea Tom Brady would never leave Foxboro.
Tuesday, Brady announced he’s leaving Foxboro.
Just like that — Dalton to New England makes perfect sense. He’d be an ideal one-year starter for Bill Belichick who can come in and execute the offense and doesn’t have any committed contract years after the fact.
It helps the Bengals and Patriots have a great trading relationship. Mike Brown hasn’t been shy in talking about it. Bengals legends like Chad Johnson and Corey Dillon have gone on to finish careers there.
The Bengals were reportedly in Dalton trade talks with the Bears again Monday. If the Patriots want Dalton it needs to happen fast.
Presumably, the Bengals and Bears were deadlocked on trade details. The Patriots now looking like a trade partner forces Chicago’s hand. Those Bears have second-round picks but likely don’t want to give one up and would prefer to give up a fourth. The Patriots don’t have a second-rounder but have three third-rounders.
Written another way, the Bengals are the big winners of Brady’s announcement, at least in the short term. Dalton is a valuable veteran starter who has shown he can win for win-now teams and the presence of another probable trade partner escalates things.
Now it’s on the Bengals front office to play this leverage right and get maximum value out of their former franchise passer.
