'Stache away?
Jags’ interest in Dalton may relegate Minshew to backup
While the Patriots are the favorites to land former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, there is another interested party that could thwart Minshew-mania in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars are reported to have “legitimate interest” in the released quarterback, per a source “fairly close to the situation,” which would put the squeeze on mustachioed 2019 sixthround signal-caller Gardner Minshew.
“We may need to put Minshew-mania on hold in Jacksonville,” NFL Network’s Steve Wyche said Thursday.
After unsuccessful attempts to trade Dalton, the 32-year-old was cut from the Bengals on Thursday entering the final year of a six-year, $96 million contract as the Joe Burrow era descends on Cincinnati. Dalton was set to earn $17.7 million in 2020, but carries no dead cap liability.
“Potential hangups are salary,” Wyche said. “The Jaguars do have to do some salary cap management issues to possibly bring Andy Dalton on, but there is legitimate interest there.”
Jacksonville is carrying an enormous $37.46 million dead-cap liability owed to players not currently on its roster, which ranks second-most in the league behind Carolina ($48.11 million). That leaves the Jags with just under $5 million in total cap space, according to Spotrac.
Although the team traded quarterback Nick Foles to the Bears this offseason, the $18.75 million Foles was set to earn this year was fully guaranteed and counts against the Jaguars’ 2020 cap.
Wyche noted that Dalton has ties with offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who was the Bengals’ offensive coordinator from 2011-13, which would ease the transition for both parties.
“Dalton would come in knowing the system much better than Minshew-mania,” Wyche said, speculating that the Jaguars could bring the veteran in to “[groom] Gardner Minshew to either be a starter this year or down the line.”
Minshew, 23, took over after Foles went down with a fractured collarbone in Week 1 and tallied 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 60.6 completion percentage through 14 games.
Dalton, who is a three-time Pro Bowler, is the latest starter to hit the open market and joins former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who has not had any luck finding a new home in free agency.
“There’s interest [in Cam Newton],” Wyche added. “But clearly Dalton would be prioritized in the pecking order of the free-agent quarterbacks.”
The Bengals’ 2011 second-round pick from TCU has spent all nine seasons of his NFL career in Cincinnati. He was benched for three games last season in favor of Ryan Finley after starting 0-8, and finished with 3,494 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions with a 59.5 completion percentage through 13 games.