The Cincinnati Bengals are looking at extending Andy Dalton and his contract, but before that happens, the team could opt to draft a quarterback for the future if they go in another direction, as names like Derek Carr, AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray and David Fales top a deep class and that could lead into what the team decides to do for Dalton and AJ Green's contracts before free agency in 2015.
The Bengals signed Jason Campbell to serve as a backup for Andy Dalton this season and Marvin Lewis could use one of his later draft picks to take a QB that could be the future starter if the team decides to let Dalton go. While Dalton has been in the playoffs the past three seasons, the team has not won any of those games and he has played poorly, leading many to wonder if he is the right man for the future despite the fact that he has a very good regular season record and has been successful since coming out of TCU in the draft.
The Bengals have the 24th pick in the draft and they won't use that on a QB, but down the line they could look to draft one, as they have seven picks along with compensatory picks and in a draft as deep as this one, taking a quarterback could be a sound idea. Last season the team ranked eighth in passing with over 250 yards per game and Dalton finished with his first 4,000 yard and 30 touchdown season, but the playoffs once again were a disappointment. Dalton has been over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns every season he has been in the NFL and he has been over 60 percent passing each of the last two years, but in three straight postseason games he has been the loser and in the past two he has been under 57 percent passing. Dalton has six picks and one touchdown in those three games and if the playoff performance does not improve, the team could look to another name as their leader.
ESPN.com is reporting that the team wants to extend Dalton when his contract comes up and that comes after next season when his rookie deal comes up. Dalton has nearly twice as many TDs as interceptions during the season, but the playoffs are another story and the team may wait out another year before extending him. The team also has AJ Green to consider, as he will be a free agent after next season and he has been fantastic for the team. Last year he had 98 catches for 1426 yards and 11 touchdowns and last season he had nearly identical numbers and he will be important to lock up before he hits the market.