The Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Andy Dalton came to agreement on a huge mega-six year $115-million contract to make the fourth year quarterback one of the higher paid play callers in the league. With nearly 30-total touchdowns a season and an average of ten-wins per season, Dalton has made plenty of cases to support the new contract.
But still the contract has been met with more raised eyebrows than anything else, even from the Bengal’s fan base. The 2011-NFL Draft was kind to the city of Cincinnati, as they landed A.J. Green with their first pick and Dalton with the second (as well as Vontaze Burficit on defense). Dalton and Green have become one of the better duos in the league, with most giving credit to the receiver before they look Dalton’s way.
The contract looks big, yes, but is extremely team friendly. $17-million is guaranteed, and all of it is paid by this time next season with the rest of the contract a year-by-year basis in the same way that Colin Kaepernick’s new deal is. In terms of ‘real-money’, the deal is only worth $96-million and would push to $115-million if every incentive is reached.
Essentially, Dalton’s deal is only for two years, and after that the team could choose to move on if he does not take the next step in his development. The $96-million still puts him outside the top-ten among quarterbacks in terms of total salary and average salary.
So why has there been so much negative reaction towards the deal? Sure Dalton has come up short in each of early playoff contest but remember, the team friendly contract he signed still doesn’t put him up with those who have won the Super Bowl.
Dalton still has a lot to prove, but his contract reflects that. If he takes that next step into the top tier of quarterbacks, he is in line to be paid like one. If he doesn’t the team won’t be hurt financially for the remainder of it.
But of all the top paid quarterbacks (by average salary) to not win the Super Bowl, only Matt Ryan has more wins in their first three seasons and Dalton is the only to win at least 9-games in each of those three years.
The fact is, despite his 0-3 record in the playoffs Dalton has made football relevant in Cincinnati. For the first time in franchise history, the Bengals have made the playoffs for three consecutive years. They have only made the playoffs in consecutive years on only one occasion.
If that doesn’t scream potential franchise quarterback, I don’t know what does. And isn’t that what his contract is based on, potential?
Unfair comparison, Peyton Manning, undeniably one of the best quarterbacks ever, went 0-3 in his first three playoff games. He posted a 31.2 quarterback rating in his third game. The following year the Indianapolis Colts made run to the AFC Conference Championship.
He has the weapons to make a similar run, which could make this only the beginning of the year of Dalton.
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