The Cincinnati Bengals are stuck in a sort of purgatory straight out of "LOST." On one hand, they've reached the postseason in four consecutive seasons. On the other, they've suffered first-round losses each year. Quarterback Andy Dalton has made a Pro Bowl in his young career, but he also has the same amount of touchdown passes in the playoffs as New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (one). The team is still unsure whether he's the guy to elevate it to the next level.
As a result, should the Bengals consider bringing in another arm to compete with Dalton for the starting spot? We've seen situations like this before, most recently when Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith in San Francisco.
"The Bengals have yet to etch their 2015 plans into stone, but it looks like for now they're going to go with the same three quarterbacks and there's no doubt that Andy Dalton is leading the way," Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com wrote.
"So never mind the first round. Don't expect a quarterback taken in the other six rounds, either.
"...Although it hasn't been formally discussed yet, [offensive coordinator Hue Jackson would] like to see No. 2 quarterback Jason Campbell re-signed as No. 3 AJ McCarron begins his year of development."
Hobson may think Cincy's QB situation is all settled, but others aren't quite as sure. ESPN's Matt Williamson believes Dalton's 0-4 postseason record and 63.4 playoff passer rating is enough to warm up his seat.
"Dalton isn't going anywhere, and no, this isn't an overreaction to a playoff loss in which Dalton was without top targets A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham, but would it hurt the Bengals to use a second- or third-round pick on a big-armed project at quarterback?" Williamson wrote. "That isn't to suggest that said player would challenge Dalton right away for the starting job (the Bengals aren't going to come away with Marcus Mariota, for example), but would preparing an insurance policy if Dalton isn't the answer and I never thought he was - be a terrible idea? If not the draft, how about making the Tampa Bay Buccaneers an offer for Mike Glennon or signing an unrestricted free agent like Ryan Mallett? Neither of those guys is a sure thing to be better than Dalton, but both are players with some upside, whereas Dalton seems to be stuck at his same average performance level. It wouldn't be hard to see either of those guys stealing Dalton's starting gig, if the Bengals signed one."
Complicating matters further is the six-year, $96 million contract Dalton signed before the season. However, if the Bengals want to reach a Super Bowl, they may need to upgrade at the position.
