Cincinnati Bengals: 3 burning questions for the last week of preseason
By Steve Rivera
It seems a preseason theme, but given the often love-hate relationship with Andy Dalton in Cincinnati, it’s a topic that won’t go away any time soon. For Dalton fans, and you know who you are, hope springs eternal for the “Red Rifle”, as he is a lock to open the 2019 season as the unchallenged starter.
The question after Dalton is who stays and who goes. It is not complicated considering how great rookie Ryan Finley has played. After Week 3 against the New York Giants, the odd man out appears to be would be hybrid Jeff Driskel. Driskel, who played admirably when Dalton was lost to an injury in 2018, isn’t in the best position to make the final roster cuts when the exhibition season ends next week.
Enter Jake Dolegala . Dolegala was impressive. He will have an opportunity to lock up a practice spot with a good performance via some extended time next Thursday against the Colts.
He had a serviceable line, finishing 10 of 12 for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Good enough to warrant a longer look when Taylor begins his final evaluations.
It’s hard to call the quarterback position an embarrassment of riches in Cincinnati, but it’s something many NFL teams would be envious of. With Dalton clearly and wisely locked at the top of the depth chart, the Bengals have options, and that is a success by any standard.