Remember when Andy Dalton was benched? It looked like the end of the Dalton era in Cincinnati. However, things have come full circle for the Bengals and Dalton. Whether or not he remains the starter beyond this year remains to be seen.
Now, Dalton will be called upon to possibly save first-year head coach Zac Taylor’s job; in a twist of irony. Taylor said that he just ‘wanted to get a look at Ryan Finley’. Well he got his look – and Finley didn’t have much.
The Bengals are going back to Andy Dalton. https://t.co/sm5RRCJYL1
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 25, 2019
In all likelihood, the Bengals probably beat the Raiders and Steelers the past two weeks if Dalton is at quarterback. Instead they lost two close games.
Here’s what Taylor had to say about his rotating wheel of quarterbacks.
“It was not an easy decision any time we’ve had to make it, which has been twice this year,” Taylor said. “But it’s in the best interest of the football team to do this and get Andy back out there.”
The Bengals gave Finley three starts, and in them he completed 47.1% of his passes for 474 yards, two touchdowns and five total turnovers. Basically, it was throwing away three contests.
The #Bengals have named Andy Dalton starting QB for Week 13. pic.twitter.com/CQe0jzzW9n
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 25, 2019
Finally, this could all end up roses for the Bengals. This should have them in the thick of things for the number one overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Indeed, that could be the pick that becomes generational talent; Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.
Hopefully Dalton ends things on a high note in Cincinnati. I think Dalton is a solid NFL quarterback, and he’s been a model pro in Cincinnati. This is the way it should go down. And I bet he pulls off a shocking win or two before he’s done.
