Ahead of yesterday’s game, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expressed confidence in Jake Browning‘s ability to handle quarterback duties in place of Joe Burrow. After another poor outing, though, things could change soon. 
Browning wound up throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday’s loss to the Lions. However, much of that production (and all three scores) came during the fourth quarter with Cincinnati trailing by a large margin. Browning’s early showing included three interceptions, and after the game Taylor seemed to leave the door open to a change under center.
“After a game like that, we’re going to look at all personnel to make sure we’re doing the right thing,” Taylor said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “I won’t shy away from that because it’s a very fair question after the amount of turnovers that we had.”
Browning has thrown eight interceptions on just 124 pass attempts since taking over from an injured Burrow. Ending Cincinnati’s three-game losing streak will require an improved showing in terms of avoiding turnovers, something which could be brought about by a switch at the quarterback spot. Brett Rypien is currently second on the depth chart, while in-season signings Mike White and Sean Clifford reside on the practice squad.
To date, the Bengals have yet to make inquiries about a trade aimed at shoring up the QB position. As long as Burrow remains on track to return at some point late in the year following toe surgery, Cincinnati could continue looking internally. That approach could still see Browning handling QB1 duties – Taylor added in his post-game press conference he remains confident in the 29-year-old – but it will be interesting to see what changes are made on offense over the next few days.
Regardless of what happens under center, improving on defense will be critical if the Bengals are to contend for a postseason berth. The team ranks 30th in points and yards allowed and sits at 2-3 on the year. Defense was a major issue last season and that has remained the case early in 2025. Taylor and his staff will have a number of important decisions to make before visiting the Packers in Week 6.
Maybe They trade for Richardson ?
Why would they do that? Richardson hasn’t shown he’d be an upgrade over Browning and would be expensive considering his draft position plus they’re probably hoping to not need an expensive backup through next year. They’re better off accepting this as a lost season since their defense is also horrendous, trading what they can to free up some money and get some picks and trying again with Burrow hopefully behind a better line and a better defense next year.
sluman–Richardson sucked at Florida. We watched him throw 5 yard passes to receiver’s 10 yards away, run away without checking on his secondary or tertiary receivers, and not be able to read a defense to save his life. If anyone on the Colts had bothered to watch film on him there’s no way he would have been drafted where he was. Nobody in the NFL would trade for him as a QB, maybe as a running back or receiver. I have been watching Florida games for 20 years because my son is an Alumni, and I can say that I have never seen such an incompetent QB in my years watching the team. I also have experience as a football coach and player and somebody should have taken this guy aside and told him to change positions. He has athletic abilities and speed, but his decision making and follow through are severely lacking.
If I didn’t have a wife I could probably coach some tight ends 🙂
Badum- Tsssss I believe is the response. Not sure how to spell the sound but close enough.
*drum drum cymbal* works
What’s the point? You made your decision already and at this point it’s time for a fire sale and prepare for next year.
Take the draft position and reset. Seems like a no-brainer based on the available talent and time it would take them to ramp up, just to finish middle of the pack at best.
Aaron Rodgers haters are in absolute dire straits with the putrid state of the AFC North.
Let this be an answer to the conundrum of separating art from artist. The personal, non-football choices of Aaron Rodgers he’s made in his life have nothing to do with his ability on the football field. Take your emotions and individual morality and separate them from your ability to recognize one of the best to play the quarterback position.
And this goes for the Mike Tomlin haters as well. Take your outlandish expectations and understand that Kenny Pickett didn’t crack the Browns roster and Mike Tomlin had a winning season with him. The Bengals are nothing with Browning under center, and Tomlin made it work with Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges. Tomlin never had a defense fall apart like the current Ravens product. The man is a beast and I hope he coaches forever.
Steelers fans are absolutely insufferable, please don’t think I am one (defending Tomlin hopefully elucidates that) but I am a fan of greatness, and both Tomlin and Rodgers are absolute legends of the NFL.
Well said, Druuu!
Don’t break a hip climbing down from that soapbox of yours …
The duality of Man…
Where saying 4 time NFL MVPs are good at football, and 2 time Super Bowl winners are good at coaching, will both validate someone and infuriate another.
Why are you so obsessed with whether someone else (and I really couldn’t care less, I’m an NFCE fan) dislikes a third party? A lot of people dislike Tom Brady, is that your next windmill?
You can dislike someone while saying they are the best (Brady) or one of the best (Rodgers) to ever play. If I’m obsessed about anything, it would be the inability to separate the two concepts, despite a mountain of evidence indicating they are both somewhat justifiably unlikable and also undeniably the best at the most important position in football.
The “Best” argument is subjective at its core, though- so I don’t think someone necessarily needs to separate the two concepts. There is nothing inherently wrong with allowing ones feelings to influence ones opinions.
I’ll be completely transparent, I do not like Aaron Rodgers. Statistically, yes, Aaron ranks very highly; but I wouldn’t rank him among the best. I also don’t care for Farve, but I think Farve is the best QB in recent GB history. I like a QB that’s more of a risk taker, obviously, to a reasonable point.
“Steelers fans are absolutely insufferable, please don’t think I am one (defending Tomlin hopefully elucidates that)”
Quite clearly.
But what you are missing is that the Steelers do NOT win the Super Bowl every single year and therefore Tomlin has failed each and every one of them personally.
Perhaps a HC change?
Jameis Winston
The Giants are more likely to trade Wilson than Winston.
Browning looked terrible against the Lions. Besides the three interceptions, there were 2-3 other long passes (“ducks”) that were launched downfield with no receiver in sight. He did not look like an NFL quarterback.
If there is still hope for a Burrow return then Bengals have to look at acquiring a veteran QB. There schedule eases up after GB. They have some winnable games. Also, they need to add a veteran to help the rest of the team. The D gave them chances to be in the game yesterday but the turnovers by Browning killed them. They should be calling any and all teams with a quality veteran backup. Rame- Jimmy G, Panthers- Dalton, NY Giants- Wilson or Winston, KC- Minshew, NY Jets- Tyrod Taylor, etc …
The ‘Lion King’ was okay but ‘The Red Rifle Saves the Bengals’ will be an even better movie.
The Red Rifle is more like the Pink Pop Gun these days. I was all for Dalton until a friend put together some Andy Dalton highlights for me to prove his point. Not good.
The
I’m sure Geno Smith can be had… cheap
When Burrow when down a few years ago with that wrist, Browing was great and moved the ball up and down the field for them. But this year he sucks and throwing INTs. What happened to him? Not sure what CINCY can do this late in the game, other than Russ Wilson or Winston?
This is my opinion and mine alone. If you don’t agree, oh well. Have a Happy Day!
First- why not try Rypien before trading for anyone.
Second – Wilson is toast. Nothing is left in his tank.
Third- Best bet is Winston. He still has a missile launcher for an arm. ( Would be fun to watch him throw to Chase and Higgins). He can still run. ( Which would make the defense keep someone in to watch for him to take off) This would open more running lanes for the Bengals running backs) He has been a backup so there would be no friction when/if Burrow comes back.
Fourth– There are no third stringer QB’s that are going to be better than Browning.
My guess is they trade for Flacco. Don’t laugh.