Winless Bengals bench Dalton, Finley up
With no wins at the season’s midpoint, the Bengals figured it was time to end Andy Dalton’s tenure and see if rookie Ryan Finley is their quarterback of the future.
Coach Zac Taylor decided Tuesday to bench Dalton, ending his nine-season run as a starter. The move came two days after a 24-10 loss to the Rams in London left the Bengals 0-8 for the first time in 11 years.
The first-year coach decided to use the off week to get Finley — a fourth-round pick from N.C. State — ready to face the Ravens on Nov. 10. It’s less a referendum on Dalton than an indication that the franchise is looking long term now that away.
Finley looked good in preseason with backups but hasn’t taken a snap in the regular season.
“We need to see what Ryan Finley can do, what he can provide for us,” Taylor said. “Until you see him live against starters, you really don’t know what you’ve got.”
Dalton, 32, has one more year left on his contract. He led the AFC in passer rating in 2015, the most recent time the Bengals reached the playoffs, but has struggled the last few years as the offensive line deteriorated and top receiver A.J. Green missed time with injuries.
Dalton led the Bengals to a club-record five straight playoff the season has slipped appearances from 2011-15 but couldn’t get that elusive postseason win.
“It’s not an easy decision when a guy’s given it his all for nine years,” Taylor said. “He certainly deserves better. You wanted to win games with him.”
Williams ends holdout: Left tackle Trent Williams reported to the Redskins, ending his lengthy holdout.
The seven-time Pro Bowler hadn’t reported all season because of a dispute with the team over the handling of a medical situation.
The Redskins didn’t deal Williams, 31, before the trade deadline, which prompted his return.
Williams needed to be eligible to play at least six regular-season games to accrue a year of his contract and not have it tolled.
Extra points: Steelers RB James Conner underwent an MRI after suffering a shoulder injury late in Monday night’s comeback win over the Dolphins. Conner ran for 145 yards . ... The Falcons released 44-year-old K Matt Bryant, cutting ties with the leading scorer in franchise history for the second time in less than a year. Bryant, 44, was released after missing 5 of 14 FG attempts this season, as well as a late extra point that was the difference in a 34-33 loss to the Cardinals. The Falcons brought in Younghoe Koo, 25, as Bryant’s replacement.