Have you heard of a trade regarding the Bengals and the Eagles?

Well there has been talk of a trade to where Nick Foles could become a Cincinnati Bengal. Andy Dalton’s contract states that his last two years aren’t guaranteed, so that means that the Bengals can trade him without having to worry about what is considered to be dead money. If Nick Foles is traded, who will the Bengals give to the Eagles? Will it be Andy Dalton because of his contract or someone else?

Dalton the all-time leader in wins, as well as many passing statistics at TCU was drafted in the second round in the 2011 NFL draft (35^th overall) by the Bengals. Andy has been with the Bengals since 2011, and has accumulated 28,100 yards between 2011 and 2018. Some people might be excited for a trade for Nick Foles while others might not want Foles on the Bengals. For as long as Dalton has been on the Bengals they haven’t won a single playoff game. (Nor has Marvin Lewis) One might say that Marvin and Andy are a playoff killing combo, but with Marvin gone will that change?

Foles went to the University of Arizona for college and had a decent career there. He was drafted by the Eagles in the 2012 NFL draft in the third round (88^th overall) and has stayed with them ever since. He has accumulated 11,165 yards from 2012 to 2018 as a back-up and a starter. However unlike Andy Dalton Nick Foles has been in multiple playoff games and a Super Bowl (which he won).

According to some people Andy Dalton is not great in the pocket nor does he try and continue a play after things have gone wrong. Max Martini (class of ’20) says, “Andy Dalton was good in the pocket during his college days, but now he takes a lot of sacks and gives up on plays.” He also said, “Andy is afraid to run the ball after the pocket collapses.” Andy Dalton has taken 241 sacks during his time so far with the Bengals (120 games), and he is currently 81^st of all-time sacks in the NFL. That’s a lot of yards considering the average sack loses about 6.5 yards.

There are some people that think Nick Foles will help the Bengals tremendously, due to his experience of playoff and Super Bowl games. Foles has been in 16 plus playoff games either playing or watching as a backup. He has also played in Super Bowl LII against the Patriots and won 44 to 33. Erik Marlman (class of ’86) said, “Nick Foles is more of a gamer (out to win) and has a better understanding of the pocket more than Andy Dalton.” Nick Foles is ranked 184^th all-time sacks allowed  with only 84 sacks in his 43 NFL games. That’s a 157 sack difference between Andy Dalton and Nick Foles.

So who is better between Dalton and Foles?

Some say that Foles is better because of his rating and ability to take pressure, while others say that Andy might have potential later on. Max Martini says, “I think Foles is more confident and doesn’t choke in playoff games.” He continues, “Foles’  QB rating is 90 while Andy’s barely hits 55 and he only has 1 TD pass in all of his playoff games.” However, Nathan Buchanan says, “Andy Dalton is a decent QB but he needs to stop giving up on plays and get some more experience.”

Many opinions, many possibilities.  In summary, should and would the Bengals even consider something interesting involving Nick Foles coming to the Bengals?

This may be a question frequently considered by Bengal fans in upcoming weeks, what do you think?