Andy Dalton will return to the Bengals’ starting lineup in Week 13. Benched for rookie Ryan Finley, the ninth-year starter will be back taking the snaps against the Jets, Zac Taylor announced.
“We just want a win, and that veteran presence he has will certainly be helpful,” Taylor said Monday, adding that he expects the 32-year-old veteran to be the Bengals’ starter the rest of the way, via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic (on Twitter).
This does mark an interesting direction change for the Bengals, who were 0-8 with Dalton. They have, however, lost their most recent three games under Finley. A fourth-round pick, Finley was given three starts. He will return to the bench with a 47.1% completion rate, with 5.4 yards per attempt. Sunday will be Dalton’s 129th career start.
Dalton has completed 60.4 percent of his passes and is averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. The three-time Pro Bowler would seemingly be a trade candidate next year or profile as a player who would groom a 2020 rookie quarterback. His reinsertion into Cincinnati’s lineup certainly seems like a move being made to avoid the third 0-16 season in NFL history. This is the Bengals’ first 0-11 start in their 52-season history. They were previously 0-10 in 1993. This Bengals edition is coming off a home loss to a Steelers team that turned to Devlin Hodges at quarterback.
If the Bengals have seen what they needed to see from Finley, this further points to the team using its No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback. As of now, LSU’s Joe Burrow looks like the clubhouse leader to be the first passer drafted. But a lot can change between now and April. The Bengals have not used a first-round pick on a quarterback since 2003, when they chose Carson Palmer. Dalton was a 2011 second-round pick.
They can’t even tank right.
I was thinking of something witty to say, but I can’t top this statement
Comment of the year
They can’t do anything more to hurt Daltons trade value so roll the dice and hope he tears it up the rest of the year.
I’m sorry but I’m not seeing much hope for this first year coach, he seems in over his head big time
Noooooooo don’t do that! Pleeeeeease don’t do that!!!
Remember when people thought they underachieved under Marvin Lewis?
Turns out he was solely responsible for any and all of their success.
Poor Joe Burrow. Destined to become a Bungle?
You’ve got this all wrong.
Dalton’s being plugged back in so that the team can salvage its relationship with him.
Chase Young is going to Cincinnati with the the first pick. Dalton will be the starting quarterback next year. That’s gives the Bengals a year and a half to figure out who Dalton’s real heir is, because Finley isn’t a possibility.
If the Red Rifle closes out the season with 5 meaningless wins like Jimmy G did for the Niners back in 2017 the Bengals won’t have the first pick.
That’s really the only thing reason I can think of to make this move. Draft Young and hope good O Lineman is available in every other round. Draft Lawrence or Fields next year. They’ll screw something up though, they always do.