Cincinnati Bengals: 5 predictions heading into last six games of the season

This isn’t going to be breaking news, but in late December, expect veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to announce he’s played his last game in a Cincinnati Bengals uniform. As a matter of fact, expect the relationship between Dalton and the organization, especially head coach Zac Taylor, to further deteriorate.

This is inevitable. Since Dalton was benched, it’s been no secret that the veteran would have much preferred a trade to a team that he could start for. Taylor and the organization advising him of the switch late at the NFL Trade Deadline left little opportunity for him to get a shot elsewhere. When reading between the lines, it’s not difficult to see where Dalton is in relation to the Bengals.

This is also helpful for Cincinnati. Whether it’s Taylor still at the controls or someone else, the Bengals are making a switch long-term at the quarterback position. Dalton won’t be a “bridge” player helping to shepherd the next QB in the Queen City.

Whether Dalton gets another start or appearance in a Bengals game remains to be seen. He doesn’t strike me as a player looking for some emotional “made for TV” moment where he takes a snap for the fans to further his legacy in Cincinnati. This is all business, and hearing Dalton speak to his disappointment with how things transpired regarding his benching, the good feelz between him and the Bengals organization are now in the rearview mirror.