Cincinnati Bengals: Can Ryan Finley be the quarterback of the future?

Have the Cincinnati Bengals already found their franchise quarterback of the future?

Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals’ first-team offense struggled on Thursday night against the Washington Redskins. However, rookie quarterback Ryan Finley led the Bengals’ second-team to an impressive performance, leading them to a 23-13 preseason victory.

Finley was sharp on Thursday night, completing 20-of-26 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He looked calm and poised in the pocket and did not turn the ball over once.

Obviously, we do not want to put too much stock into one preseason game. Finley was not out there playing against a defense filled with All-Pro talent. That being said, he was impressive and it is the kind of performance that is going to turn some heads.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Finley in the fourth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In college at NC State, Finley showed the ability to read the defense well, rarely making the wrong decision on the football field. He is also an accurate passer who understands how to place the ball where it needs to be at all times.

Finley’s work in the pocket is impressive. He is not the most impressive athlete, but he understands how to create more time in the pocket for his receivers to make plays down the field. His pocket awareness showed up in a big way on Thursday night, as he side-stepped pass rushers while keeping his eyes downfield many times.

I fully expect the 2019 season to be Dalton’s last as the franchise quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals. Next offseason, the Bengals can cut Dalton loose without any cap implications if they wish. Even if they decide to keep Dalton on the roster, I would be surprised if they have not figured out a long-term plan at the position by this time next year.

This likely means taking a quarterback early in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, if Finley can continue to perform at a high level, he could certainly enter the conversation of becoming that guy. It all depends on how he performs.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor would be smart to get a good look at Finley at some point during the regular season this year. Cincinnati is not a team that is expected to compete for the postseason this year, so they might as well figure out what they have in Finley.

If we are being honest, Finley is extremely unlikely to become the quarterback of the future for the Bengals. He is a game manager who is likely best suited to serve as a strong backup option. That being said, they need to figure out what they have in him. So far, Finley is making a strong case to at least get himself in the conversation.