NFL: Andy Dalton signs six-year, $115m contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals make 26-year-old their quarterback for the foreseeable future

The Cincinnati Bengals have handed Andy Dalton a six-year, $115m contract extension (Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals have handed quarterback Andy Dalton a massive six-year, $115m contract extension.

Dalton, 26, has been the team's starter since they drafted him with the No 35 pick in the 2011 draft.

Since then Dalton has been to the Pro Bowl once and is just one of three quarterbacks in NFL history, along with Peyton Manning and Cam Newton, to throw for at least 3,300 yards in each of his first three seasons.

He has notched 80 touchdowns and 49 interceptions in the regular season since entering the league, including 33 last year, winning 30 matches and losing 18 on his way to the playoffs in all three seasons.

However, Dalton has not yet won a playoff game, losing all three first round matches in which he has played.

During those three games he has thrown just one touchdown and six touchdowns, with his best rating just 67.0.

In fact, a number of pundits believe this deal is a bad move for the Bengals. He is seen by some as a hindrance rather than a help to the Bengals, who have a hugely talented but under-performing squad.