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As the team's official web site framed it this morning, "The Bengals made a major strike for their long-term future Monday when they agreed to terms with Andy Dalton on a deal worthy of a franchise quarterback." It's a move that should lend further confidence to fantasy football owners hoping to cash in on the rest of the Bengals' skill players for the foreseeable future.

According to Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson, it's believed that while the Bengals made him their highest paid player in history with a six-year extension through 2020, Dalton agreed to a contract that allows the Bengals to extend other key players for a team that has been to the playoffs three straight years. Various web sites are putting the deal at $115 million total dollars.

As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio points out, when the details emerge (and they inevitably will), the key factors to consider will be: (1) signing bonus; (2) fully guaranteed money at signing; (3) money guaranteed for injury only at signing; and (4) the timing of future triggers, if any, for converting injury-only guarantee to full guarantees.

Whatever the case, the 26-year-old Dalton and three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green have emerged as the centerpiece of that run with Dalton becoming the fourth quarterback in history to make the playoffs in his first three NFL seasons.

Since assuming the mantle as franchise quarterback immediately when he came out of the second round from Texas Christian in 2011, Dalton has joined Peyton Manning and Dan Marino as the only players to throw at least 80 touchdowns in their first three seasons. Last year while setting the club record with 33 touchdown passes, Dalton became the first Bengals quarterback to win 30 games (30-18) in three seasons.

Still, as NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal suggests, Dalton needs to improve his decision-making and consistency. "A quarterback like him with a limited skill set needs to win with accuracy and smarts," Rosenthal wrote, "but too often Dalton goes on cold streaks like a wild relief pitcher."

But with a supporting cast featuring Green, Marvin Jones, Giovani Bernard, Tyler Eifert and Mohamed Sanu, the Bengals have a great young offensive nucleus.

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has succeeded everywhere he's been, and should help Dalton this season.

And even though he put up top-5 fantasy totals last season, Dalton can be had at a great price this year. His current MyFantasyLeague.com ADP is QB16.