Is Andy Dalton the veteran QB the Jacksonville Jaguars need?

With the news Andy Dalton has been released by the Cincinnati Bengals, will the Jacksonville Jaguars attempt to sign the veteran?

Is the release of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton the news the Jacksonville Jaguars wanted to hear?

According to several sources, including CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and ESPN, the Bengals have parted ways with their long-time starter, opening the door for Joe Burrow, the top pick in last week’s NFL Draft, to begin a new era with the franchise. The move is one the Jaguars may have been following closely as they may still seek a veteran to serve as a backup for starter Gardner Minshew.

The Jaguars have Minshew and Joshua Dobbs on the current roster and drafted Jake Luton out of Oregon State in the sixth round last Saturday.

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Dalton seems like a logical fit for the Jaguars as he worked with new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden when Gruden held the same position in Cincinnati before becoming the head coach of the Washington Redskins.

"Per ESPN.com, “Dalton was 70-61-2 as the Bengals starter, making the playoffs in his first five seasons but losing in the wild-card round each time. He holds the franchise record for touchdown passes (204) and is second in passing yards with 31,594, behind only Ken Anderson’s 32,838.”"

Minshew became the Jacksonville Jaguars unquestioned starter when the team sent veteran Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round draft pick. Head coach Doug Marrone told local media earlier this month that he was excited to go into the season with Minshew as his starter.

"“We evaluated the quarterback position like we evaluated the defensive end and running back positions, everything. Sometimes you look out there and, right now, if we went to play and Gardner Minshew is our guy and I’m excited about that,” he said viz Zoom.“But do I want competition for him? Absolutely. You want competition for everybody. You want competition for everyone though. I don’t want to make it where I’m answering this question and, ‘Marrone is not as confident’ or ‘Marrone wants competition.’ I want (competition) not just for the quarterback but I want competition for everyone. The one thing about Gardner is that he showed some good things last year. We did win six games with him.”"

The Jaguars are banking on Minshew taking a major step forward in his second season in the NFL. When he replaced Foles in Week 1 of the season, he was an anomaly – a rookie who teams had not studied. Now, there are 14 weeks of tape on him. The measurables in his growth may be different. While he is still expected to show the same kind of moxie on the field and with his teammates, can he take that next step in being an elite quarterback?

The jury might still be in deliberation on that topic.

Dalton, who could come in as a backup, would provide insurance if Minshew cannot make that progression or gets hurt during the season.