Pending restricted free agent Jake Browning will not receive a tender from the Bengals, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Browning will thus reach the open market, although Fowler notes Cincinnati is open to re-signing him.
Browning signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019, but he did not see action until he won the Bengals’ backup job in 2023. Browning wound up filling in for Joe Burrow after the franchise signal-caller suffered a season-ending wrist injury in mid-November.
The Bengals fell to 5-5 the day they lost Burrow, but they went 4-3 under Browning and narrowly missed the playoffs. Over nine appearances that year, Browning completed 70.4% of passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 98.4 traditional rating and a 60.8 QBR.
Burrow was the only Bengal to attempt a pass in 2024, his healthiest season yet, but he was not as fortunate last year. After Burrow went down with a toe injury in Week 2, the Bengals turned back to Browning. The team was likely expecting a performance similar to Browning’s 2023 showing, but he fell well short of that. The 29-year-old completed 64.8% of attempts for 771 yards, six TDs, eight picks, a 71.1 passer rating and a 35.2 QBR in five games.
The Bengals went 0-3 in Browning’s starts, leading them to acquire Joe Flacco from the Browns in early October. Flacco outperformed Browning by a wide margin, but it was not enough to keep the Bengals afloat during Burrow’s absence. Once 2-0, the team was 3-8 when Burrow made his return in Week 13. The Bengals ended the year 6-11.
In a best-case scenario, the oft-injured Burrow will stay healthy next year. However, it would be wise to have a capable contingency plan in place. It doesn’t appear the Bengals will rely on Browning in that role, though Flacco has interest in re-signing with the team.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Can we keep his wife?
This guy has played some good football. A sleeper starter for the right team
Jake Browning to UFL