The Cincinnati Bengals, on his birthday, benched their long-time starting quarterback Andy Dalton for rookie Ryan Finley. After three weeks of Finley play, where he went 0-3, head coach Zac Taylor reversed course, announcing that Dalton would start against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Not only did the Bengals bench Dalton on his birthday, but he was also unhappy that they did right before the trade deadline, in turn, not allowing them enough time to find him a new team to find for. However, that's in the past. He is no longer bitter.

Initially it was tough, but I felt like: Why choose to live in bitterness when you don’t have to?” Dalton said on the matter, via Joe Kay of the Associated Press. “Why choose to be negative when you don’t have to? I know in the end it would just be a big part of my story.”

An 11-year veteran, Dalton has no idea what the future holds. Next year, he is on the last year of his contract with the team. Speculation brewing within the fanbase is that the winless Bengals will search for a quarterback with their — currently slated — No. 1 pick, presumably Ohio native LSU's Joe Burrow.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
GM Duke Tobin in the middle, Rome Odunze, T'Vondre Sweat, Brandon Coleman around him, and Cincinnati Bengals in the background.

Enzo Flojo ·

Bengals, Zack Moss, Geno Smith

Gerard Angelo Samillano ·

However, as of now, Dalton knows one thing: he is back. Finley will revert to the bench after an uninspiring string of games.

On the season, Dalton is 204 for 338 passing (60.4%) for 2,252 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions. A three-time Pro Bowler, he offers the winless team their best chance of winning.