Andy Dalton and the Bengals split up on Thursday in the kind of unceremonious breakup reserved for long-term quarterbacks of non-dynasties; the fan base barely torn between a sense of excitement about the future and lingering sense of loyalty and comfort from the last decade of service.
Entering his age 33 season, Dalton will land somewhere soon and, depending on the location, get a chance to start a significant stretch of games again. Ryan Tannehill’s 2019 taught us not to completely shape a quarterback’s legacy before he’s had time to operate in a different system, surrounded by more complementary personnel.