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Cincinnati Bengals: 5 offseason needs in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: Head Coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: Head Coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals waves to the crowd following the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals waves to the crowd following the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Resolve the quarterback position

As previously mentioned, the Bengals own the first overall pick in April’s draft. The last time the franchise was in this position was back in 2003. That was a year in which the franchise selected USC signal-caller Carson Palmer. The talented prospect did not see the field his rookie campaign under then-head coach Marvin Lewis, who made his debut with the franchise that year. Cincinnati finished 8-8, Palmer became the starter the following season and in 2005, he helped lead the club to a division title and the team’s first winning season since 1990.

With a little over a month remaining before this year’s draft, the consensus opinion is that one-time Ohio State/turned LSU quarterback Joe Burrow will be the team’s choice. If it is indeed Burrow or another quarterback, where does that leave nine-year veteran Andy Dalton?

There’s been talking of him being on the trading block but so far no takers. The 2011 second-round pick has had his critics and Zac Taylor sat him down for a spell in 2019 in favor of rookie Ryan Finley. Dalton had a rough showing this past year, hitting only just 59.5 percent of his throws for 3,494 yards and 16 scores while turning over the ball 18 times in 13 outings.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Chiefs at No. 1

It appears that change is inevitable when it comes to the quarterback. But who that may be may not be as set in stone as some believe. And could the Bengals wind up trading out of the first pick and still get their new signal-caller?

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