Bengals want Andy Dalton to prove himself before taking new contract

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has two years remaining on the six-year, $96 million deal he signed with the team prior to the 2014 season. According to ownership, he won’t be getting a new one just yet.

Bengals owner Mike Brown said Wednesday that a Dalton extension is not under consideration, as the team wants to see him re-establish himself after a pair of seasons marred by underperformance and injury.

Owner Mike Brown said the Bengals aren't considering extending Andy Dalton's contract before this season. "I think it's a good year for him to show like he can, like we think he will," Brown said. "After he re-establishes himself we would want to get together with him."

— Fletcher Page (@FletcherPage) March 27, 2019

This could easily be read as ownership telling Dalton he’s playing for his Cincinnati future. He hasn’t posted a winning season since 2015 and suffered a season-ending thumb injury last year. They’ll want to see him healthy and effective before further committing to him.