Let’s not make this a hard notion to grasp. In rookie Ryan Finley, some see him as the inevitable way forward for the Cincinnati Bengals. For those who think this is jumping the shark, explain why?
Dalton in the playoffs is not just unimpressive, he’s abysmal. It’s a dumpster fire. Zero wins, four losses, a single touchdown, and six interceptions. It’s a 57.8 passer rating.
Again-0-4.
One touchdown.
Six interceptions.
The numbers are what they are. In the NFL, THAT is the ultimate arbiter. You can think fondly of the Buffalo Bills, who are 0-4 in Super Bowls. The same can be said for the Minnesota Vikings. What people remember, what people point to, is the combined 0-8. As with Dalton, that is what people can reasonably say is the legacy-an 0-4 playoff record.
Finley may, or may not be “the guy.” If the Cincinnati Bengals take the gas pipe in 2019, they may have some options come the 2020 draft with a quarterback class that has some potential.
The bottom line is, in a season where not much is expected from the Bengals, Finley is a good story. Especially when considering the results from Dalton. Recent history from his position in Cincinnati has produced returns well below what was always hoped and expected.
Objectively, you can make an argument that the time is getting near for a change. Maybe Finley is the one who finally pushes the debate to that inevitable place where change actually happens.