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Andy Dalton hasn’t been perfect as the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting quarterback, but the team has seen enough out of Dalton to think he’s their QB of the future.
According to multiple media reports, Dalton is on the verge of signing a six-year contract worth $115 million.
Here’s what you need to know about the deal:
1.The Deal Keeps Dalton Under Cincinnati’s Control Through the 2020 Season
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Dalton, whose four-year, $5.2 million rookie deal expires at the end of this season, will be under Cincinnati’s control through the 2020 season.
It’s not clear how much of the $115 million is guaranteed.
CBS Sports, citing information from reporter Jason La Confora, laid out the structure of the deal:
As for the structure of Dalton’s new contract, La Canfora says it will include limited fully guaranteed figures, and it will allow the Bengals to pay as they go more or less on a yearly basis. Owner Mike Brown was a big proponent of that structure from the deal the 49ers struck with their young quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
2. Dalton Has Never Won a Playoff Game
Andy Dalton's career postseason numbers are far worse than his regular season stats: pic.twitter.com/zFVWezBtsu
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 4, 2014
Dalton has emerged as an above average quarterback in the regular season, going 30-18 and leading the Bengals to the playoffs in all three seasons since the team drafted him out of TCU in 2011. But he’s 0-3 with a putrid quarterback rating of 18 in the playoffs.
3. Dalton Hasn’t Yet Signed the Deal
NFL has yet to receive paperwork on Bengals and Andy Dalton's 6-year agreement, but deal expected to be signed later today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2014
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday morning that the league office had yet to receive the paperwork on Dalton’s deal, which Dalton is expected to sign later in the day.
4. The Bengals Drafted QB A.J. McCarron This Year
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Cincinnati drafted Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron in the fifth round, giving them a potential alternative to Dalton down the road.
McCarron led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championships and was on the verge of leading the team to a third straight title game appearance before Auburn beat the Tide in the Iron Bowl, denying them a shot at an undefeated season.
5. The Bengals’ Offensive Coordinator Said Dalton Has Been ‘Sensational’ in Training Camp
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Dalton’s contract extension comes as his coaches are raving about his training camp performance, which offensive coordinator Hugh Jackson told ESPN has been “sensational” so far:
I’ve been really impressed with him over the last several days. He’s really starting to buy into the urgency, getting the ball out of his hands and he’s making great decisions.
