Cincinnati Bengals: 3 reason Finley should start the rest of the season

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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Ryan Finley #5 and Auden Tate #19 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrate with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The biggest question pre-benching of Dalton and now is whether a fourth-round draft pick can be the future starter for the Cincinnati Bengals. No one knows that question, but before summarily dismissing the idea, head coach Zac Taylor should find out, and so should fans.

It really is anyone’s guess. Finely, who finally gets a shot at starting in a regular-season NFL game, has no idea whether he can adapt or not. Best for him is it looks like he won’t be on a short leash, as Taylor has said it’s not just a one-game audition. This is important, as one game, good or bad, doesn’t fix the Bengals.

Cincinnati is smart to look under the hood. It’s an easy concession that Finley may not be the “fix-all” for the Bengals, but he doesn’t need to be. Finley needs only be part of the process. Cincinnati likely drafts a quarterback in 2020 in an effort to rebuild. If he manages to create a spark and give the family something to think about, then that’s a good thing.

Whether Finley is the future is secondary to what they do in the next draft. If Dalton is done in Cincinnati, drafting a quarterback happens in the first round anyway.