The Cincinnati Bengals created a bit of intrigue in the 2019 NFL draft with the trade up and selection of NC State quarterback Ryan Finley in the fourth round.
While the Bengals were quick to stand behind Dalton as the starter, experts like ESPN’s Todd McShay have thrown out nuggets about Finley boasting starter potential.
Dalton? He’s taking it in stride, as captured by Bengals.com:
There was nothing that really needed to be said. I think he’s anxious to meet him and get him in here and see what he can do. I think they’re just trying to create some competition in the backup room. Obviously we need numbers, you can’t go in with two. You want to get to four, and I think we did that because we signed an undrafted free agent as well. I’m excited to see what he’s like and get to meet him.
This all doesn’t sound like a big deal — but even the writeup from the team’s site points out this is the first time since 1991 the team has selected a quarterback as early as the fourth round despite already rostering a starter.
For now, little has changed other than some new faces in the quarterback room. And indeed, those changes will probably have more of an impact on Jeff Driskel than they do Dalton.
But Dalton probably knows it is best to get used to the questions now.
