He is one spot behind Colts star Andrew Luck – who was also plagued by injuries last season – and two behind Cardinals QB Carson Palmer, who was traded by the Bengals after they drafted Dalton in 2011.
That places Dalton ahead of veterans Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford, Phillip Rivers and Matt Ryan (among others).
RELATED: Bengals bringing practice back to Dayton area
Not that this has anything to do with what actually happens on the field this fall, but it’s something to talk about in August.
And it begs the question: Is such regard justified?
Perhaps so.
Dalton did not put up huge overall numbers last season, finishing just 19th in passing yards per game and 14th in touchdown passes, but he was second in the league in passer rating.
He bettered all of those mentioned above while trailing only Seahawks game manager Russell Wilson, who came in fourth in the Madden ratings.
RELATED: Bengals make move after first-round pick injured
Among active players who have thrown at least 1,000 pro passes, Dalton enters the 2016 season ranked 11th in career passer rating. That is one spot behind Colin Kaepernick, who was benched by the 49ers last season and is trying to win his job back this preseason, and one ahead of Cam Newton, who took the Panthers to the Super Bowl last season.
How’s that for perspective?
Also ahead of all three of those players: Robert Griffin III, who is spending August trying to resurrect his career with the Browns after injuries and a clash of personalities with the coaching staff cut short his once-promising career with the Redskins.
(Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is No. 1, followed by Wilson, Romo and Tom Brady.)
About the Author
