The Red Rifle was a red-hot commodity on the free-agency market.

In an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton says he had “several” opportunities on the table during the short period between his release and signing with the Cowboys last week.

“Once I got released, at that point, I had to figure out what’s going to be best for me, what’s going to be best for my future for the next ten years for me,” Dalton told “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” “I had several options out there.”

The Patriots and Jaguars were both rumored as potential landing spots for the three-time Pro Bowler could have vied for a starting role. Instead, he inked a one-year contract worth up to $7 million on Sunday with Dallas, where he will serve as an understudy for 26-year-old Dak Prescott.

“I had to figure out what was the best situation for me to go into that was going to set me up for this next half of my career,” the 32-year-old Dalton said. “After weighing everything, I felt like going to Dallas was going to to be the right fit for me this year and I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity.”

The Bengals’ 2011 second-round pick from TCU was benched for three games in 2019 for Ryan Finley and was released on Thursday as the new Joe Burrow era descends on Cincinnati. He has thrown 31,594 yards, 204 touchdowns and 118 interceptions with a 62 completion percentage in nine seasons.

With the future in mind, Dalton said coaching and the organization’s caliber played a big role in his decision, which is all part of a “big-picture plan.”

“I wanted to join a high-class organization team that’s ready to win and be with Mike McCarthy — his history with quarterbacks — it gives me a chance to come to a new place, a chance to learn, to help Dak out any way I can and just to be an asset for this team,” he said.

Dalton could be eyeing this as an opportunity to replicate what Teddy Bridgewater did in New Orleans. After backing up veteran Drew Brees for two years, Bridgewater set himself up to sign a three-year, $60 million contract with the Panthers this offseason.

The Katy, Texas native, who owns a home in Dallas, says his area ties amid the coronavirus pandemic were “definitely” factored into his decision.

“For us to stay close to home… We already have a house here and not have to move, not have to figure out the whole logistics of that transition especially during a time like this when there’s a lot of unknown with what’s going to happen and when things are going to start up and all that stuff,” Dalton said. “I think that was definitely part of it.”

“Being from Texas, you always love the Cowboys. I’m originally from the Houston area but for a lot of time when I was growing up, the Cowboys were the only team once the Oilers left,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty special opportunity for me.”