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The Cincinnati Bengals surprised some by ignoring the perceived need for a potential veteran quarterback behind Joe Burrow on the depth chart.
But the current strategy is by design.
Zac Taylor and several members of his coaching staff have plenty of quarterbacking experience. Sophomore Ryan Finley also started three games last year, so he’s comfortable with the offense.
So is Jake Dolegala.
Dolegala was something of a darling for Bengals fans last year as he shocked by making the 53 after a strong preseason. After doing so, he spent the entire year learning.
“With how successful I was in those last preseason games, I knew I could play at this level,” Dolegala said, according to Bengals.com’s Michael LaPlaca. “I know they are preseason games, but some of those guys end up being Hall of Famers. Once I got that call, I was like alright I made it.”
It’s hard not to love Dolegala’s upside. And both he and Finley will have a leg up with the playbook on any veteran the team can bring in during this odd offseason with preseason games already canceled.
Not that Dolegala appears to need some sort of built-in advantage — his upside and what he’s shown quickly has left the Bengals coaching staff comfortable with him back there behind Burrow on the depth chart.
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