The Cincinnati Bengals are saving at best $17.5 million through releasing Andy Dalton. Outside of that, the Bengals are getting nothing in return.

Cincinnati released Dalton on Thursday after nine seasons. Helping the Bengals make it to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons. Appearing in four of their five most recent playoff games. While being selected for the Pro Bowl three times in his career. The veteran quarterback was approaching the final year on his contract. Dalton was drafted by the Bengals in 2011. Months after leading TCU Football to a Rose Bowl victory. 

Through releasing Dalton, the Bengals blundered three potential opportunities. All opportunities to help new franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. One week after the Bengals selected Burrow first overall in the NFL Draft. They also missed an opportunity to give Dalton a more graceful exit. Instead of having him scram to make way for the new guy.

First, the Bengals are now throwing Burrow into a baptism by fire. When they had an opportunity to potentially ease him into his new role. The Bengals are practically putting the weight of an entire franchise on Burrow’s shoulders. It’s like hiring a recent medical school graduate to become a major financially strained hospital’s chief of staff. With that hiring happening the graduation ceremony during a pandemic.

Second, Cincinnati missed their chance to get a reliable player in exchange for Dalton. The Bengals frankly needed a bit of everything at every position. While the Bengals have a promising draft class. Along with their atypical free agent spending spree. They missed an opportunity to make another key addition or some 2021 draft picks.

Third, the Bengals missed an chance to give Burrow an on-field mentor. While Burrow had a national championship and Heisman worthy senior season. Along with showing similar leadership qualities that Dalton exemplifies on and beyond the gridiron. The NFL can wallop even the best college football players. Having someone to help a rookie navigate through it is invaluable.

Sure, Dalton presumably wouldn’t be thrilled by being on the bench. While having the opportunity to potentially succeed elsewhere. Yet, he could give Burrow something he didn’t get as a rookie. A chance to learn from a franchise quarterback as a teammate for a season. Not many quarterbacks get the chance to have a mentor in Dalton’s position.

Some of the best quarterbacks in the game today had similar opportunities. Patrick Mahomes of the Super Bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs is one example. Baltimore Ravens quarterback and Heisman winner Lamar Jackson is another. Bengals fans want Joe Burrow to be as or more successful than Mahomes and Jackson. Releasing Dalton for nothing puts the possibility of that happening in danger. Putting more pressure on Burrow to succeed. While missing an extra opportunity to add more reliable players in the process.