Can the obvious become even more obvious?
Sure seems like it for an 0-10 Cincinnati Bengals team. These Bengals have been circled in red ink as a team drafting a quarterback near the top of the 2020 draft.
The coaching staff yanking the rug out from under longtime starter Andy Dalton seemed to potentially muddy this idea. If fourth-round rookie Ryan Finley could show hints of being a long-term solution, the Bengals could be free to pursue any position, meaning a shot at Chase Young.
So much for that.
In Sunday’s 17-10 loss to Oakland, Finley completed 13 of his 31 attempts for 115 yards with a lost fumble and a game-ending interception.
So no, the guy this coaching staff traded up to get after he was one of two quarterbacks to take pre-draft visits with the team isn’t the answer.
And before anyone screams — yes, two games is a small sample to use. And yes, Finley’s surroundings are worst-in-league status.
But the problems are very apparent. Before the draft, perhaps the biggest complaint about Finley was arm strength. He was throwing ducks in Oakland and should’ve had an interception go back for a touchdown just like the week prior. His other massive problem — age — is worth considering too. He’ll be 25 in December, so there’s no upside.
Over two games, Finley has thrown fort just 282 yards with one score and two picks over 61 attempts, good for a 47.5 completion percentage and average of 4.6 yards. The Raiders, by the way, ranked among the six teams giving up the most passing yards per game.
In a season where all sorts of unknowns like Gardner Minshew and Kyle Allen have put up passable football, Finley doesn’t look like he’ll join those ranks.
The Bengals should ride it out with Finley instead of going back to Dalton, of course. But Sunday was merely another affirmation the move has to be quarterback at the top of the 2020 draft.
