After the Cincinnati Bengals cut veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, the free agent ultimately decided to sign a one-year, $7 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys. However, a new report surfaced that Dalton could have landed with the New England Patriots via trade.

Per Albert Breer in Sports Illustrated:

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“That said, how this went should further color where the Jaguars and Patriots are at the position. Cincinnati shopped Dalton to both, and neither showed much interest. And that — after his release detached him from the $17 million base that made him impossible for the Bengals to keep — neither wound up with him, despite both teams offering a clearer path to playing time, and despite Dallas only having to pay $3 million in base to get him, should say what you need to know about where they stand. Viva la Gardner Minshew, and viva la Jarrett Stidham, apparently.”

Dalton, 32, is widely expected to play backup to the Cowboys' franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. However, the longtime Bengals signal-caller could have realistically competed for the Patriots' starting job (along with the Jaguars' one). The fact a trade between New England and Cincinnati could not materialize only dampens the short-term expectation that Dalton will be a starting-caliber quarterback in the league. However, the price tag beyond trade terms for the red-headed gunslinger may have influenced the AFC East franchise's decision—with Dalton owed a $17 million salary in 2020.

The Patriots, without Tom Brady under center, will enter next season with a QB competition between veteran Brian Hoyer and second-year Auburn product Jarrett Stidham. On the other hand, Dalton will sit comfortably behind Prescott on the depth chart in Dallas.