The winless Bengals made the decision Tuesday to bench quarterback Andy Dalton in favor of rookie Ryan Finley. As you’d expect, the nine-year veteran felt a certain way about the move.
“I don’t agree with the decision but I’m going do everything I can to help the team,” Dalton told reporters Wednesday (via The Athletic).
Once Dalton was informed of the move, his agent jumped into the trade market to see if there was a chance for Dalton to start for another team in the second half. Unfortunately for Dalton, there were only a few hours left before Tuesday’s trade deadline and a partner never surfaced.
"It happened three hours before the trade deadline," Dalton said. "I wish they would have, at least if he was thinking about it, at least try to let me see if I could end up somewhere or at least see if there was interest in possibly getting traded.
"At that point, the way it was all handled, there wasn't enough time to even have that happen."
Andy Dalton on the frustration of not being able to explore trade options once he found out he was going to be benched. pic.twitter.com/kjNF4M8338
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 30, 2019
Even if he had more time, it’s hard to envision a team giving up too much to bring in Dalton
Dalton, 32, has completed 204 of 338 passes (60.4 percent) for 2,252 with nine TDs and eight interceptions through the first half of the season. He's set to make $16.2 million this season and is under contract for $17.7 million in 2020, the final year of his current deal.
Dalton has started every Bengals game for which he has been healthy since Week 1 of his rookie season in 2011. But with the Bengals off to an 0-8 start heading into a bye this weekend, head coach Zac Taylor decided it would be best to get an extended look at Finley.
Practice 1️⃣ as QB 1️⃣ @RFin15 | #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/GtPNqfgeCd
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 30, 2019
Finley, 24, was a fourth-round draft pick out of N.C. State this spring. He played well in the preseason, completing 73.4 percent of his passes in three games with three touchdowns and an interception, but has not seen action in the regular season.
If he plays well, Finley could convince the team to pass on a quarterback at the top of the 2020 draft.
Finley will make his debut Nov. 10 at home against the Ravens.