NFL free agency rumors: Insider believes 49ers could explore Andy Dalton move

The San Francisco 49ers had quite the quarterback carousel in the 2022 season as they might be in the market for a signal-caller this offseason. Per Matt Barrows and David Lombardi of The Athletic, one signal-caller to be on the lookout for this offseason is Andy Dalton. Both commented that he gives 49ers, the experience under center.

Barrows and Lombardi said:

"A new veteran quarterback might look more like Andy Dalton, someone with plenty of experience — Dalton has started 166 games in his career — but who won’t stress the 49ers’ salary cap and who would take a backseat to San Francisco’s youngsters. The 49ers looked at Dalton during the 2021 free-agency period."

Andy Dalton signed with the New Orleans Saints ahead of last season, starting 14 games. He replaced Jameis Winston, who started the first three games despite dealing with lingering back pain and an ankle injury. The former Cincinnati Bengals star threw for 2,871 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in those 14 starts.

The 49ers are in need of a quarterback like Dalton because Jimmy Garoppolo, the team's quarterback for the last six seasons, will not return. Garoppolo started 10 games for San Francisco in the 2022 season before going down with a broken foot injury.

Brock Purdy, the final pick in last year's NFL Draft, took over for Garoppolo, leading the team to the NFC Championship game. However, Purdy suffered an injury to his right elbow in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Iowa State quarterback was expected to undergo surgery this month to repair his right elbow.

However, the surgery was placed on hold due to continued inflammation in the elbow. Purdy won't be re-assessed prior to March 1 at the earliest. A six-month window of recovery would probably sideline him through the first few weeks of next season. The question is who will start under center for the team, when the 2023 season begins.

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Another injury makes Andy Dalton a viable option for the 49ers

The 49ers' first-round pick in the 2021 Draft, quarterback Trey Lance, was looked upon as the team's starter. However, Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week Two last season. In all, Lance has played in just four games in his first two seasons in the NFL. It remains unknown if he will be starting for the franchise next season.

Enter Dalton, who has been relatively healthy throughout his 12-year NFL career. The San Francisco-based side will need a solid option at quarterback next season, and the three-time Pro Bowler might be the answer head coach Kyle Shanahan needs. We will see how the franchise deals with its quarterback situation this off-season.

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