With Tom Brady's announcement Tuesday morning that he will not return to the New England Patriots, social media speculation about long-time Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton's potential candidacy with the Pats escalated.

ESPN's Wendi Nix suggested last week on NFL Live that there might be an opportunity for Dalton that wasn't available during the first nine seasons of his NFL career. "I would be fascinated to see what (Patriots head coach) Bill Belichick and that staff could do with Andy Dalton, personally," Nix said. "I think it would be intriguing - an opportunity to get the most out of him."

"I actually believe that if he goes to New England, he'll play some pretty good football for them at that quarterback spot," analyst Dan Orlovsky added.

Earlier this month, Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reported that Belichick and others like Dalton's "untapped potential."

Social media reactions Tuesday about Dalton and the Pats:

ESPN's Ed Werder reported Monday that the Chicago Bears are focused on acquiring either Dalton or Jaguars veteran quarterback Nick Foles.

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin told the RapSheet + Friends podcast that Dalton's future with the Bengals may be uncertain, but the team wants to make sure Dalton is comfortable with any decision.

Former Bengals defensive back George Iloka told The Enquirer's Tyler Dragon that the Patriots might be a good destination for Dalton.

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