Elite qbs

[*ochocincos*]

You don't NEED an elite QB to win it all, but a majority of the teams to win the Super Bowl in the past 20 years have had elite QBs.

The only teams to not have elite QBs and win the Super Bowl:
- 2000 Ravens (Dilfer)
- 2002 Bucs (Johnson)
- 2012 Ravens (Flacco)
- 2017 Eagles (Foles)

That's it.
Every other year has had an elite QB win the Super Bowl for the last 20 years.
And the teams that didn't have an elite QB when they won had an outstanding running game and defense. The Bengals would need (at least) 3 new OL, 1+ DL, 2 new LBs, and probably 1-2 new DBs to get to that level.

Would it not be easier/simpler to get an elite QB rather than have to bring in a bunch more players to build an elite running game and defense?

With that said, there is also logic (to your point) to build the team around the QB first then get the QB.
Having multiple 1st rounders would provide more chances to get really good players and build up the team.
But they also should not keep Dalton around regardless. His $17.7 mill cap needs to go elsewhere.