After nine seasons, many franchise records and a deep impact on the community, Bengals QB Andy Dalton has been released.
A 10th-year veteran, Dalton was a three-time Pro Bowler for the Bengals and established numerous team passing records since the team selected him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian University. He began his NFL career by leading the Bengals to five consecutive playoff berths from 2011-15, a run that included two AFC North division titles ('13 and '15). His 70-61-2 regular-season record as a starter is the top winning percentage (.534) of any Bengals QB with 25 or more starts.
Dalton is the Bengals' all-time leader in completions (2757), touchdown passes (204), passer rating (87.5) and 300-yard passing games (28). He also stands second in career passing yards (31,594) and career completion percentage (62.0). Further, he holds and the team's single-season records for passing yards (4293 in 2013), touchdown passes (33 in '13) and passer rating (106.3 in '15).
"Andy will always hold a special place with this franchise, and I know that he holds a special place in my heart," said team president Mike Brown. "This is a hard day for our club because we know and appreciate what a consummate professional Andy has always been. We respect and appreciate Andy, and we thank him."
Off the field, Dalton's community contributions have been among the most significant in Cincinnati sports history. Following his rookie season in 2011, he and his wife, JJ, established the Andy & JJ Dalton Foundation, which conducts a wide range of community outreach efforts in the Cincinnati and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas areas. The foundation's mission is to provide opportunities, support, resources and life-changing experiences to seriously ill and physically challenged children. Dalton's work in the community was recognized during the 2016 season, when he was named the Bengals' nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
"Andy will always be considered a key member of the Bengals' organization," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. "His teammates and coaches appreciate his leadership and his commitment to winning. Just as importantly, Andy and his wife JJ are leaving a lasting impact in the community with the incredible work their foundation has done over the years. Andy and his family have meant a lot to this team and this city, and we wish them the best in the future."
Looking back at the career of quarterback Andy Dalton during his tenure with the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) greets the fans after an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
QB Andy Dalton at practice.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and his wife, JJ, treated families to a day of fun and memories at the amusement park during the annual King for a Day event. The event is a part of his community outreach program benefiting seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) poses for a photo on media day, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Cincinnati. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Andy Dalton and his wife, Jj, hosted the "King for a Day" event at Kings Island. The event is one of several put on by the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation, which helps families in the Greater Cincinnati area with children who are ill or have special needs.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL Football game against Washington Redskins at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, center, meets with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, after a joint NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Andy Dalton (left) and Ken Anderson (right) sign Bengals football helmets at Anderson's event to raise funds for the Ken Anderson Alliance.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates with Bengals fans as he walks of the field after the team's 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in action during the NFL team's football practice, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
QB Andy Dalton
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton walks in the player's entrance at Paul Brown Stadium, Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Cincinnati. The Bengals are scheduled to report to training football training camp in Georgetown, Ky., Friday and have their first workout on Saturday. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) shakes hands with fans following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Pittsburgh. Cincinnati won 13-10.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Fans call out to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton greets fans before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) takes pictures with fans prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 in Cincinnati. (NFL Photos via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) signs fan autographs during Ohana Day practice held on the day before the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC All-Stars and the NFC All-Stars on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs with quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the NFL football team's first practice at training camp, Thursday, July 24, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo)
Cincinnati Bengals NFL second round draft pick Andy Dalton, a quarterback from TCU, poses with his jersey during a news conference, Saturday, April 30, 2011, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnatti Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton walks onstage after benign drafted during the 2015 Pro Bowl Draft at the Arizona Biltmore on January 21, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ. (AP Photo/Michael Yanow)
Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and wide receiver A.J. Green (18) celebrate after their touchdown pass and reception during the first half of an NFL football game against Tampa Bay in Cincinnati, Oh, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
