One of the worst Bengals two-game stretches in years came between Weeks 3 and 4 this season, when Zac Taylor‘s team was outscored 76-13 in losses to the Vikings and Broncos. Although Cincinnati won its Week 2 game after Joe Burrow‘s injury, they have not remotely kept pace since.
The Bengals did not cross midfield during the final three quarters Monday night in Denver. After submitting surprisingly productive work in relief of Burrow down the stretch in 2023, Jake Browning has struggled. The veteran backup is on a two-year, $1.95MM deal. While that contract would support the Bengals pursuing a veteran as a potential upgrade, Burrow’s $55MM-per-year extension brings a complication for a franchise not known for in-season trade pickups.
Cincinnati has only acquired two players — offensive lineman B.J. Finney and running back Khalil Herbert — in-season via trade over the past 53 years. Many around the league are indeed skeptical the team would change its stripes for a quarterback, the Washington Post’s Mark Maske notes.
Doubt about Cincy going after a QB is generally based on the organization’s M.O. Despite the payments going to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason, the team again took criticism for thriftiness during the Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart standoffs. Although it would stand to reason Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins would be an upgrade on Browning, Taylor reaffirmed his confidence in his backup following the 28-3 Broncos loss. Taylor said he has “a ton” of confidence in Browning and is unwavering in his faith in Burrow’s multiyear backup.
If Browning continues to produce duds, it would stand to reason the Bengals consider upgrading. They did not show such interest following Burrow’s injury, however. Browning’s knowledge of Taylor’s system works in his favor, but the team will need to show immediate progress if it is to salvage the season and make a late-season Burrow return from toe surgery worthwhile. Burrow has been mentioned as a candidate to come back potentially in December, but if the Bengals continue to play like they did in Minnesota and Denver, a reemergence would not make much sense.
Wilson is on just a $2MM base salary, meaning the Bengals would only be responsible for a prorated amount. The Giants gave the since-benched passer an $8MM signing bonus, covering the bulk of his $10.5MM deal. New York having gone to Jaxson Dart makes Wilson an obvious trade candidate, with Jameis Winston signed through 2026 as a backup option. The team going to Dart makes one of the veterans redundant, and Wilson has indeed circulated as a trade chip. Given the investments the Bengals have made in Chase and Higgins — to go with Hendrickson being given a contract-year raise but not an extension — it would make sense if they pursued Wilson due to his experience and low base salary.
Cousins would seemingly be a nonstarter, as the Falcons are still holding onto the NFL’s most expensive (by far) backup. Atlanta has not displayed a willingness to pay down much (if any) of Cousins’ salary ($27.5MM), continuing a refrain from the offseason.
Cousins looked for a way out in March and April, but nothing materialized. It had long been assumed a high-profile injury would be necessary for Cousins to escape Atlanta, but unless the Falcons agree to pay down almost all of his base pay, it would be hard to see the Bengals eyeing him as a Burrow emergency replacement.
For in-house options, the Bengals have Brett Rypien as their active-roster backup and Mike White and Sean Clifford stashed on the practice squad. None of the other arms is close to matching Browning’s experience under Taylor, with each being acquired late in the summer (Rypien) or following Burrow’s injury (Clifford, White). For now, the team will continue to hope Browning can improve. The team faces the Lions, Packers, Steelers, Jets and Bears before its bye week.
Bengals owner Mike Brown is 90. He might want to start making some exceptions on how his team is run if he wants the best chance to see a Super Bowl championship in his lifetime. But maybe he doesn’t care at this point.
Mike Brown could be 40 and he would still be a terrible owner.
The Bengals were going to approach the Reds for a good throwing arm but that plan went down the drain too…lol.
Put Elly DeLaCruz at QB. He’s so fast he could throw a pass to himself. And he wouldn’t have to catch anything so that’s a plus.
He’s a heck of a player.
My guy weighs 150 pounds soaking wet. He would be on IR after the first drive.
Murica!
I will also express confidence in Browning. I am confident that he can lead the Bengals to a top 5 pick in next year’s draft.
I’m still of the opinion that the problem is Taylor. The first statement he made was,” I’m not going to change the game plan for Browning.” Problem is Browning isn’t Burrow. Burrow will stand in the pocket knowing he’s going to get plowed under, Browning freezes up and stands there holding the ball instead of trying to make some kind of play by rolling out. Burrow didn’t exactly look like a world beater the first two games this year either. Common denominator is… Zac Taylor and his Chinese firedrill offense. In fantasy world I imagine what Sam Wyche could do with the weapons the Bengals have at their disposal. Then the realization that the Bengals are stuck with Homer Rice jr for this year and next. This last game it looked like nobody cares about winning. Players standing around during plays, Browning standing there holding the ball during the plays and Chase yelling at the head coach, and on Monday Night Football no less. Getting Russell Wilson is a ludicrous idea too. He’s been with 4 different teams in 5(?) years, and each one has been glad to see him go. Jameis has a much better arm, can run a little, and would be able to keep the defense honest. Otherwise they are going to have a top five draft pick next year and probably waste it on a long snapper or a punter.
The league would be a lot better if there were more Sam Wyche’s coaching.
Agreed on all parts. I’ve never thought Taylor was a good coach and he’s ridden Burrow’s coattails and has had incredible weapons with Chase and Higgins. And yet, the Bengals have never had a top five offense under Taylor, by points scored or total yards. Wyche is a good call, too. You can bet he would have had that offense at the top.
Thirded, if the motion requires passing.
In other news, Sam Wyche is still DEAD.
Good news Charles, there’s probably another one out there waiting for his chance.
I’m wondering how Chucky came up with that hot scoop…isn’t he the guy that is always trashing the tabloids?
Should trade for Jameis Winston
This seems the most feasible. Giants already turned to Dart with Wilson as backup. Cincy could throw a 5th or conditional 4th for him.
I think a 6th would get it done. For a 5th, the Giants would probably have to include a 6th or 7th of their own.
Giants might make that deal for Wilson to get him out of the building, so Winston might be the more ideal backup for NJ now. Then again, if the trade deal is sweet enough…
It’s NYG.
A lot of on here were saying the Bengals would be fine and Browning is a good QB lol.
He was the 8th rated quarterback in 2023 when he went 5-4
When he threw 12 touchdowns in 9 games?
Look it up. He was the 8th rated quarterback in 23. There was no reason for Bengal fans not to feel ok with Browning. To be honest, what team that depends on it’s quarterback so much could win without him? Buffalo, KC, Baltimore aren’t winning without their starters and they have a semblance of a defense. Bengals defense is trash
the defense is so bad .. that even if burrow were healthy.. there’s no guarantee they make the playoffs
I think I have more confidence in Mrs. Browning to steal the show more than Jake ro actually play well
Cincy vs. Detroit might be a better match-up in the Fox doubleheader than what y’all think. Tampa, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, St. Louis, Omaha were going to be force-fed NFC East — those big cities will now see the Bengals.
So after giving those contract to Chase & Higgins, they’re now expressing “confidence” in a guy who’s shown he can’t get them the ball?
Fascinating