[jwplayer 99PZYacN]
The Cincinnati Bengals really like what they have behind probable No. 1 pick Joe Burrow with Ryan Finley and Jake Dolegala.
With a rookie starter leading the team, it is understandable to suggest the Bengals might try to go out and sign a veteran quarterback to serve as a mentor of sorts.
But Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan has swatted away such an idea, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
“I’ve never believed you needed to have a veteran (back-up quarterback). I think that gets a little overblown. It can be a benefit. But it has to be the right one and it doesn’t mean you can find the right one. A lot of those veteran guys want to play; they’re not out there to back up. You have to find a guy willing to do that and wiling to mentor. They’re hard to find and they generally tend to be expensive.”
It helps that the Bengals have so many former quarterbacks on the coaching staff, starting with Zac Taylor. That’s a sort of underrated element probably playing into the talk here.
But Finley and Dolegala sure don’t hurt. Finley was a disaster when Taylor named him the starter over Andy Dalton, but the staff still believes he can grow into something. And Dolegala is an interesting story with all the physical traits necessary to succeed.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see Finley as the main backup next year. And knowing the traits Dolegala boasts, it might end up being even less of a shock if he ends up sitting second on the depth chart.
At this point, the only shock would be spending notable money on a veteran passer.
[vertical-gallery id=29048]