All-Time Bengals QBs Ranked: Anderson #1, Esiason #2

Ryan Finley

#5 · Cincinnati Bengals
Retired 2 Years In The NFL
🏆 First-team All-ACC (2018)
Ryan's
HAIR
6.6
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Ryan Finley or the Bengals?

Ryan Finley Legacy

HEYTC AI
Ryan Finley, the cerebral gunslinger from Phoenix who traded Boise State's blue turf for NC State's red-hot ACC wars, etched his name as a Wolfpack legend with back-to-back All-ACC nods and a master's degree in hand—brainiac QB in shoulder pads. Drafted by the Bengals in '19, he stepped into the inferno of a 2-14 cyclone, starting three straight amid the chaos, flashing pocket poise and leggy scrambles before fading to Houston's bench. No fairy-tale ride, but damn if Finley didn't embody the grind: college captain who led NC State to bowls and rankings, proving smarts and steel outshine spotlight every time.

Ryan Finley Rating Breakdown

Season
Non-Factor
Fantasy
Subpar
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
Cooked
2 years with the Bengals

Ryan Finley Career Stats via Wikipedia

638 Pass Yards
3 Touchdowns
4 INTs
48.7% Comp %
6.6 HAIR

Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Finley

How does Joe Burrow compare to Ryan Finley?

Joe Burrow and Ryan Finley inhabit different universes as Bengals quarterbacks. Burrow, Cincinnati's franchise cornerstone, has already established himself as a legitimate star with multiple Pro Bowl seasons and a Super Bowl run. Finley threw for just 638 yards across eight games—he was a fourth-round depth piece who never developed into anything more than a backup option.

Is Ryan Finley in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Ryan Finley isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and frankly, his résumé doesn't warrant serious Canton consideration. With 638 career passing yards and a 59.4 passer rating across eight games, Finley was a journeyman backup whose NFL tenure was more footnote than legacy.

What is Ryan Finley doing now in 2026?

The search results don't provide current information about Ryan Finley's 2026 activities, so I can't definitively say what he's doing now—whether that's coaching, broadcasting, business ventures, or life outside football. You'd need more recent sources to answer this accurately.

How would Ryan Finley perform in today's NFL?

Even in today's pass-happy NFL, Finley's skill set wouldn't translate to sustained success. His 48.7% completion percentage and inability to protect the football (4 interceptions in 119 attempts) suggest he lacked the decision-making and accuracy modern offenses demand. The rules might favor passing, but they don't forgive fundamental limitations.

How does Ryan Finley compare to Ken Anderson?

Ken Anderson absolutely dwarfs Finley in any meaningful comparison. Anderson's 94.1 career passer rating towers over Finley's 59.4, and Anderson actually won an MVP award and led Cincinnati to a Super Bowl. Finley was a backup; Anderson was a Bengals institution.