Jake Browning has found his next NFL home. The veteran QB has agreed to terms on a one-year Buccaneers deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
A former Washington standout, Browning spent the first two seasons of his professional career on the Vikings practice squad. He caught on with the Bengals practice squad in 2021, and he also spent the following season on Cincy’s taxi squad.
He finally earned a roster spot in 2023, when he beat out Trevor Siemian to be Joe Burrow‘s primary backup. Burrow ended up suffering a season-ending wrist injury that season, forcing Browning into the starting lineup. He was predictably a far cry from his superstar teammate, but he managed to keep the Bengals afloat, as the team went 4-3 in Browning’s seven starts.
The career backup ultimately finished that campaign having completed a league-leading 70.4 percent of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added another 127 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He had a standout showing during his second career start, completing 32 of his 37 pass attempts in an overtime win over the Jaguars. That performance ended up earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Browning inked a two-year extension with the Bengals the following offseason, and he’s spent the past two years as Burrow’s backup. After barely seeing the field in 2024, Browning added another three starts to his resume in 2025. Cincy went winless in those three games, and Browning finished the campaign having tossed six touchdowns vs. eight interceptions.
Now, he’ll be looking to continue his career in Tampa Bay, where he’ll be penciled in as Baker Mayfield‘s primary backup. Teddy Bridgewater held that role in 2025, but the veteran QB just joined the Lions as a free agent. Browning is likely a shoo-in for the Buccaneers QB2 role, although the team is still rostering 2025 UDFA Connor Bazelak.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.