Zac Taylor Says Bengals Set with Joe Burrow, Backups After Andy Dalton's Release

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

The Cincinnati Bengals are unlikely to make any more major moves at quarterback this offseason. That includes adding a veteran backup for top overall pick Joe Burrow. 

"We're set. We've got three young guys we really look forward to investing a lot of reps in," head coach Zac Taylor said Friday, per Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We think they have bright futures. We feel really good about where we're at right now."

The team's depth chart includes Burrow (age 23), Ryan Finley (25) and Jake Dolegala (23). 

Longtime Bengals starter and veteran Andy Dalton left Cincinnati this offseason, signing with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency to serve as Dak Prescott's backup. While there was never any doubt that Burrow would be the starter in 2020, many teams often choose to surround rookie quarterbacks with a veteran mentor at backup.  

The second-year Finley isn't that guy. He appeared in all of three games during his rookie season, throwing for 474 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed just 47.1 percent of his passes and was 0-3 in his appearances.

Not exactly inspiring stuff. 

Granted, it will be a moot point if Burrow hits the ground running. Few quarterbacks have ever hit the NFL on the heels of a season as good as Burrow. Frankly, it's arguable that Burrow's 2019 campaign was the best college season in the history of the sport.

All he did was throw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and six interceptions, complete 76.3 percent of his passes, lead LSU to a perfect record and national championship, and win just about every major award in the book, including the Heisman Trophy. 

So if anybody is equipped to be a day-one starter, it's Burrow. Still, not providing him with the resources and wisdom that a veteran mentor could provide is an interesting choice.