Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Ryan Finley seems to be getting ready for a big dose of playing time during the team’s preseason Week 1 contest in Kansas City on Saturday night.
Finley has impressed some onlookers for throwing much better in camp than he had in the spring.
This has seemingly played a part in Finley’s promotion to orchestrating the second-team offense, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com
For the second straight day rookie quarterback Ryan Finley led the second offense and Taylor agreed that he looked more comfortable than he did on Monday. In his one team period Finley hit four of five passes.
Bengals coaches have made it clear they still like Jeff Driskel plenty, with Zac Taylor even praising the backup for his speed and playmaking ability.
But Finley has always been the plan, hence the trade to go up and get him in the mid-rounds. After a strong camp so far, it sets up Saturday as critical for Finley’s outlook in the battle to back up Andy Dalton.
The Bengals might end up rostering three quarterbacks anyway, of course. But Finley will have to show he can take the proverbial next step, rolling strong camp performances with the second team right into a strong showing in live action.
