ANDY DALTON SIGNS WITH COWBOYS

Andy Dalton, released by the Bengals Thursday, agreed to a one-year deal with the Cowboys, Saturday.

The quarterback's deal has a base value of $3 million and could be worth up to $7 million.

Dalton played in Fort Worth, at TCU.  He lives in Dallas and will not have to move his family during the offseason.

Many assumed Dalton, 32, would sign with Jacksonville or New England, but opted to remain close to home.

Cincinnati drafted LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick last week, making Dalton expendable. Dalton was set to earn $17.7 million in the final season of a six-year, $96 million contract.

In nine seasons with the Bengals, Dalton had a 70-61-2 record and helped them reach the postseason in each of his first five seasons, but he was unable to win a playoff game. He holds the franchise record for touchdown passes with 204 and is second in passing yards (31,594), but he was benched after an 0-8 start to the 2019 season.

Cowboy's officials insist Dalton was signed as a backup to Dak Prescott, who has not signed his 2020 Franchise Tag contract.