Cowboys Andy Dalton: The man nobody wants to talk about

The Dallas Cowboys registered an important insurance policy over the offseason. Nobody is talking about Andy Dalton, so let’s change that.

Andy Dalton isn’t exactly your average quarterback. Let’s get that straight. The Dallas Cowboys scooped up a vital insurance policy to Dak Prescott, and frankly, nobody paid two minds about it.

If you ask me, the Dalton signing may turn out to be the most important signature Jerry Jones and company obtained on this side of the decade so far. No, the 32-year-old backup quarterback, who spent nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, wasn’t hired to supersede the current, $30 million-plus quarterback.

That isn’t the narrative for Dalton, and we shouldn’t expect that script to go through any last-minute editorial changes. But unfortunately, unexpected injuries occur.

Just take Gerald McCoy‘s predicament to center stage. The Dallas Cowboys had a true threat at the defensive tackle position, but fate snapped its fingers and the flight path was adjusted.

If it can happen that quickly at the DT spot, how is any other position any safer, particularly the quarterback room? It’s not. Think about it. Tornados follow the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s only right the team registers the best possible insurance policies.

Somehow, the Cowboys landed starter material for a basement price. Andy Dalton turned in his orange jersey to be a Cowboy for a one-year deal. In 2020, he’ll earn $1 million in base salary with a $2 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac.com.

In return, the Dallas Cowboys get a proven starter with 133 games started on his ticker. Of his nine seasons in the league, he started all 16 games in six of those nine seasons.

He owns a 70-61-2 regular-season record. He has surpassed the 30,000 passing yards mark. Dalton has tossed 204 touchdowns to 118 interceptions, with a final quarterback rating of 87.5. With the Bengals, Dalton played in four playoff games, going 0-4 in the process.

A Katy, Texas native, Andy Dalton returns home to Big D. He played high school ball in Texas. Dalton attended Texas Christian University (TCU) for four years before the Bengals drafted him in 2011 in the second round, the 35th overall pick.

The three-time Pro Bowler excelled under a West Coast offensive scheme. Tagged with wide receiver A.J. Green, the duo produced quality highlight reels together. Now, he gets to tour the playbook with head coach Mike McCarthy, a quarterback whisperer in his own right.

No, Andy Dalton isn’t here to cancel out Dak Prescott. But we can’t exactly avoid the name either. I mean they nicknamed him 007, as in the fictional assassin named James Bond. No, our Dalton isn’t the same dude as Timothy Dalton, who played James Bond in two films.

For now, he’ll roam the sidelines as the silent assassin, ready for the next man up approach. The Dallas Cowboys get a proven starter, a killer waiting in the wings. You gotta love that.