Andy Dalton, Bengals agree to 6-year, $115 million extension

UPDATE: Pro Football Talk is reporting that the base contract is worth $96 million, with escalators based on playoff performance. Given that the Bengals have gone 0-3 in the playoffs with Dalton under center, postseason play was understandably a focus in drawing up the details.

Dalton receives a signing bonus of $12 million and will earn a $5 million roster bonus later this week, giving him a guaranteed $18 million in the first year.

In July, Bengals owner Mike Brown publicly endorsed his quarterback, saying he was worth a deal similar to the one Colin Kaepernick recently received from the San Francisco 49ers. Kaepernick’s deal was for $126 million over seven years with $61 million guaranteed. This deal looks very much like that one, on the surface. Kaepernick’s deal, however, only included $13 million guaranteed up front with team-friendly language from year-to-year.

Dalton was entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2014. Through 48 career starts in three seasons with the Bengals, Dalton has thrown for 11,360 yards with 60.9 completion percentage. He has 80 touchdowns, 49 interceptions and an 85.7 QB rating during that same span. He posted his best regular season totals last year with 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns.

The biggest knock against Dalton comes from his underwhelming performances in the playoffs. He’s led the Bengals to a trio of playoff berths but is still seeking his first postseason win after losing twice to the Houston Texans and then the San Diego Chargers last season.