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The Bengals have benched Andy Dalton in favor of rookie quarterback Ryan Finley.
That is a pretty shocking phrase for most Bengals fans to hear. And as you can imagine, this created a pretty wide variety of responses on twitter.
Here are some of the reactions to Dalton being benched:
The timing could have been better
The first thing that most fans encountered was the information that this move was made on their quarterback’s birthday. Obviously, the team probably did this more because they were entering their bye week, but it still adds an entire new level of sting to the move.
Recap of the birthday party the Bengals threw Andy Dalton when they benched him today pic.twitter.com/BRaFSAaPSk
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) October 29, 2019
Andy Dalton just got benched on his birthday.
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 29, 2019
The world really doesn’t give a fuck about you pic.twitter.com/MeAuokGCRN
well happy birthday to me, damn pic.twitter.com/RwVwdE2Jj4
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) October 29, 2019
Happy Birthday, Andy Dalton.
— JG (@JoeGoodberry) October 29, 2019
On. His. Birthday. https://t.co/ycLh7GMatW pic.twitter.com/i6Nicr4aOT
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 29, 2019
From bench to plane?
Many fans’ reaction to the news was also to get something for Dalton while they can. The trade deadline is the same day as the move is being made, so it makes sense that it would be on peoples’ minds. Time will tell if Dalton could be packaged for a move.
Just in case anyone wants to go ask for Bengals QB Andy Dalton ... There's about $8.47 million in base salary left this year, and a non-guaranteed $17.5 million base for 2020.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 29, 2019
Bottom line: That contract is tradeable.
Bengals need to trade Andy Dalton. Waiting to bench him right before deadline is kinda crazy - should have done it a week ago to give teams more notice. If he's not dealt by 4pm, it'll happen at the combine. He doesn't have a future there.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 29, 2019
Dalton era is over in Cincy. He can be released for a clean savings of $17.7 million after the season - no dead cap.
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) October 29, 2019
He had a really good run but the team has accomplished all that it can with him as the QB. Dalton will be a coveted "bridge qb" in the offseason IMO. https://t.co/4AxRY37Q4U
The Bengals need to trade Andy Dalton now for a mid-round pick. https://t.co/Cni8piUbhV
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) October 29, 2019
The Bengals made a statement to the other 31 teams without picking up the phone by benching Andy Dalton.
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) October 29, 2019
But at this point, what teams would be interested in him, if he were available in a trade?
If they are making a change at QB. I’d listen to trade offers for the next couple hours.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) October 29, 2019
They should trade Dalton to Chicago https://t.co/BcvD6I4DCu
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) October 29, 2019
Take any pick you can for Andy Dalton
— JG (@JoeGoodberry) October 29, 2019
For a team that rarely does deals, gotta wonder if Cincy would be willing to trade Andy Dalton #Bengals
— Dianna (@diannaESPN) October 29, 2019
The end of a storied Cincinnati connection
Regardless how you feel about Dalton, there is no denying that he and A.J. Green combined to be one of the most potent duos the Bengals have ever had. This is probably the end of that connection being on display.
What reason is there for AJ Green to take the field now? https://t.co/JOX36utl3M
— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) October 29, 2019
Andy Dalton to A.J. Green. 'Was a good run together in Cincy since '11, guys.
— SN's Vinnie Iyer (@vinnieiyer) October 29, 2019
And, barring something totally unforeseen in the trade market, Finley will get to throw to A.J. Green after the bye, which Dalton did not have access to in 2019.
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 29, 2019
If you’re AJ Green, & you’re still in contract talks with the Bengals, and the QB you entered the league with just got benched what would be going through your mind?!
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) October 29, 2019
The last Dalton to Green touchdown was almost exactly one year ago. https://t.co/42mM0zhYBj
— JG (@JoeGoodberry) October 29, 2019
Ah shit. This is real. https://t.co/zWMGylAIMH
— JG (@JoeGoodberry) October 29, 2019
Evaluation on a sinking ship
This move is as much about finding out what this team has inFinley as much as it is about securing that high pick. There is little to no chance that a rookie quarterback can cure the deep issues that this team has had this season, but at least it will keep them from possibly ruling out drafting a quarterback early because they don’t know what Finley can be.
Andy Dalton has been BENCHED, Bengals fans! Cincinnati can release him and save $17.7M after the season. Is the door open now for Joe Burrow? Maybe Tua Tagovailoa? #SeizeTheDEY
— The Draft Network (@DraftNetworkLLC) October 29, 2019
Make it happen! Send us your mock drafts!
Mock Draft Machine:https://t.co/lsEcVzUTVW pic.twitter.com/MYJDUFS1eM
You might say the Chase is on. https://t.co/SZQmZSztuz
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) October 29, 2019
My notes on new Bengals QB Ryan Finley: Excellent anticipation, accuracy and toughness. Jared Goff lite.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) October 29, 2019
Smart by the Bengals. Figure out if Finley has anything, if he doesn’t, draft a QB with high pick.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) October 29, 2019
The #Bengals needed to sample Ryan Finley to see if there’s ANY chance he could be the QB of the future.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) October 29, 2019
If not, they will undoubtedly go get their next QB in the draft.
We can probably quiet the Chase Young to the Bengals idea for a while.
— JG (@JoeGoodberry) October 29, 2019
good luck being evaluated behind that offensive line Ryan Finley!
— Keenan Singleton (@KJMSingleton) October 29, 2019
The end we never saw coming
This has been complicated for plenty of fans to process. In one hand there were plenty of people waiting for this day, but now that it is here it is weird. Dalton spent his whole career here doing nothing but trying to take this team to the next level. He has also spent the past three and a half seasons burdening the blame for a team that may not have been as serious as putting a contender on the field as he was with delivering one.
Farewell, the ginger whimperhttps://t.co/Ay6gL5pKqe
— Dave Rappoccio (@DrawPlayDave) October 29, 2019
Man....talk about mixed emotions
— Brian (@bArtbow) October 29, 2019
There are Bengals fans who are celebrating the benching of Andy Dalton. A lot of us have been critical of the guy over the years, but I've personally said that I had always hoped it had worked out for him & the team. A really good guy. A sad, but necessary day, unfortunately.
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 29, 2019
I knew Andy’s time was coming to a end but I’m kinda sad he got benched
— drewski (@azm1995) October 29, 2019
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) October 29, 2019
First feeling is actually sadness. I don't know why. https://t.co/U5CdkKE0Bs
— JG (@JoeGoodberry) October 29, 2019
You know I had to do it to ‘em. pic.twitter.com/yOmimO5IHZ
— Jeremy Chisenhall (@JSChisenhall) October 29, 2019
You say things like "The Bengals should bench Andy Dalton" but you don't actualllllly think the Bengals are going to do those things....
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) October 29, 2019
And now, they are.