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Andy Dalton: 3 very possible scenarios for the veteran QB in 2020

By Steve Rivera

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals signals during a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 22, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals signals during a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 22, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 6: Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wave Buccaneer flags during the game against the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium on January 6, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Giants defeated the Buccaneers 24-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 6: Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wave Buccaneer flags during the game against the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium on January 6, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Giants defeated the Buccaneers 24-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) /

For those who think not, think again. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have signed the greatest quarterback of all time. That said, they also signed a guy who is 42 years old, and when (or if) the 2020 season kicks off, will have turned 43.

So, why would the Bucs sign Andy Dalton? Do the math. On opening weekend, Dalton is 32 years old and will be 33 right around the time of the NFL trade deadline. Brady meanwhile will be 43. But it’s even more simple than that. Brady isn’t getting younger, and unless you drink the TB12 Kool-Aid every day, odds are you would be foolish to discount an injury, or at the very least, take that possibility lightly.

Enter Dalton. The Bucs would be smart to have a qualified veteran kind of quarterback who can step in at any moment and have the offense not miss a beat. If, and it might be a big IF, Tampa is that close to a Super Bowl, having Dalton as the second QB on the depth chart is good planning.

The bottom line is that the pool of teams who would have an interest in Dalton is shrinking. This isn’t a reflection of Dalton as a quarterback, as much as it’s about supply and demand. In any other offseason, Dalton is probably in another uniform by now. But with names like Brady and Rivers and even Foles already on a team for 2020, players like Jameis Winston, Cam Newton, and Andy Dalton wait. Meaning conventional wisdom need not apply.

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