Bengals Bench Andy Dalton: Should They Trade Him?

The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly done with Dalton as their starting quarterback. Should they trade him before the deadline?

The NFL trade deadline ends at 4:00 PM Eastern Time today, but perhaps the Bengals should make a move before then. Adam Schefter of ESPN recently reported that the Cincinnati Bengals are moving on from Andy Dalton: 

Andy Dalton, who threw for 329 yards and a touchdown without any turnovers against the Rams on Sunday, turns 32 years old today. Not the happiest of birthdays. If the Bengals are done with him, maybe they can do him a favor and trade him before today’s deadline.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2019

In his place, head coach Zac Taylor has elected to run with unproven, fourth-round rookie Ryan Finley. 

Apparently, Taylor has had enough. The young head coach is out to prove that he can win football games, and he isn't getting enough out of his veteran signal-caller. But instead of benching the former 3-time Pro Bowl quarterback, would the Bengals be open to trading him instead?

Zac Taylor and the front office now have just hours to decide what to do with Andy Dalton. It's unlikely a deal will get done so quickly before the clock runs out on the NFL trade deadline, but if the Bengals really are moving on, they could look for some addition draft compensation by moving Andy Dalton now. 

Dalton is under contract through the 2020 season. Cincinnati doesn't often make moves, but perhaps they will make an exception here.