NFL Network and NFL.com's Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Cincinnati Bengals are removing veteran Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback, as the Bengals are currently 0-8 heading into their bye week at the halfway mark of the season.
The team will look to rookie quarterback Ryan Finley, who was selected in the fourth round (104) in last season's NFL draft out of NC State. Finley has yet to throw a pass in a regular season game.
Finley appeared in three preseason games this August for Cincy and looked competent, albeit in mop-up duty. Finley went 47 for 64 (73.4%) for 414 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
Dalton currently leads the league in pass completions and attempts, and is fourth in the NFL in yards passing, but he's just 28th in QBR, ahead of only Mitch Trubisky, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Marcus Mariota.
Dalton signed a 6-year, $96 million deal after the 2015 season and will be an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Dalton is 68-58 for his career with four playoff appearances, but is winless in those 4 postseason games, and is just 18-32 in his last 50 starts,
After Cincinnati's bye week, they play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.