Bengals sign Andy Dalton to an Extension

Jul 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) calls out plays to his teammates during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier today that the Bengals have signed Andy Dalton to a 6 year and $115 million deal. He is supposed to be paid close to $96 million with bonuses that could add up to the top figure. That averages to a just over $19 million a year if he hits every goal. This is money that many people have said he didn’t deserve, especially without a playoff win.

The Bengals Twitter Page confirmed the signing with this post:

According to that same ESPN report, the Bengals new offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson, has been impressed by Dalton’s performance and progress through the beginning of training camp. He even went as far to call Dalton’s performance “Sensational.”

Dalton is 30-18 in his 3 years and 0-3 in the playoffs. He is a middle of the road QB that has proven he can make enough plays in the regular season, but the fans seem to lack faith in his post season performances.

The risk for the Cincinnati Bengals, is they spent big money on an unproven quarterback with the likes of Vontaze Burfict and AJ Green in the wings waiting for their next payday. Bengals picked up AJ Green’s 2015 option and has now 2 years to get locked down but will still demand a pretty penny.

Cincinnati now has its franchise quarterback locked up and a huge piece of their defense, in Geno Atkins, just returning to their lineup off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Bengals fans will expect to see Dalton earn every penny now that he is locked up and this very talented Bengals team will have no excuses.