HEADLINES

Cincinnati Bengals News & Rumors

Bengals HC Zac Taylor To Retain Play-Calling Duties

October 7th, 2025 at 10:31am CST by Adam La Rose

The Bengals’ offense has drawn heavy scrutiny since quarterback Joe Burrow‘s injury. Things have not gone according to plan with Jake Browning under center, and a change could be coming soon.

During each of the three games Browning has started, Cincinnati has scored only three points through the first three quarters. The team managed to score a trio of touchdowns late in Week 5, but on the whole significant improvement is needed moving forward. Efforts on that front will include head coach Zac Taylor continuing in his role as play-caller.

“I feel very comfortable,” Taylor said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “It’s a fair question. We score three points in three games in the first half. I totally understand that. But right now, it’s going to remain the same.”

Taylor arrived as head coach in 2019. The 42-year-old called plays on offense throughout that span despite a limited track record of doing so at the NFL and college levels. Coming off his time with the Dolphins (which included an interim offensive coordinator gig) and Rams (making him one of several Sean McVay assistants who have gone on to prominent offensive roles), though, it came as little surprise when Taylor took charge of the offense in Cincinnati. That unit has generally thrived when Burrow has been healthy, something which could be the case late this season after he recovers from toe surgery.

In the meantime, however, the Bengals’ playoff chances depend on steps forward being taken on both sides of the ball. The team sits near the bottom of the league in both points and yards allowed on defense, while finding offensive production has also proven to be a challenge. Cincinnati is averaging just 17 points and 246 yards per game, figures which will of course need to improve if an end to the team’s losing streak is to take place.

Efforts to make that possible could have included a change in play-calling responsibilities, something which Taylor’s former OC Brian Callahan recently moved forward with in Tennessee. In the case of the Bengals, however, the status quo will remain in place on the sidelines.

Bengals Open To QB Change?

October 6th, 2025 at 9:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

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.

Bengals Have Not Made Trade Inquiries On QBs, Intend To Keep Jake Browning As Starter

October 5th, 2025 at 10:05am CST by Rory Parks

The Bengals did not seek a trade for a veteran QB following Joe Burrow’s toe injury – which will keep Burrow sidelined until sometime in December – and we recently heard there is leaguewide skepticism that the club will change its modus operandi in terms of in-season trade activity (Cincy has only acquired two players via in-season trade over the past 53 years). The latest reporting on the matter suggests that skepticism is well-founded.

Multiple sources tell Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports they would be surprised if there are any quarterback trades at all in advance of the November 4 deadline, given the complexity of the QB position and all that it entails. An assistant GM told Vacchiano the only team he believes would even consider such a move is the Bengals, considering Jake Browning’s pronounced struggles in relief of Burrow.

Although Browning was able to guide his team to a win in Week 2 (the game in which Burrow sustained his injury), he did throw three picks in that contest. In his two starts since, he has completed a combined 33 of 52 passes for 265 yards for one touchdown and two more interceptions. The Bengals lost both games by a combined score of 76-13, and they did not cross midfield during the final three quarters of their loss to the Broncos in Week 4.

Nonetheless, Vacchiano says there is still no indication Cincinnati has looked into a quarterback trade. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears the same, and he writes that the club’s past success with Browning at the helm – Browning posted a 4-3 record when filling in for Burrow in 2023 – has them prepared to move forward with the Washington product for the foreseeable future.

In a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network (video link) says Falcons QB Kirk Cousins could probably adjust quickly to the Bengals’ offense due to his familiarity with head coach Zac Taylor’s type of scheme, but Cousins’ contract – which already includes a locked-in $10MM in 2026 – remains prohibitive. Recently-demoted Giants QB Russell Wilson could make sense from a cost perspective, but like Cousins, there has been no outside interest in Wilson as of yet, from the Bengals or any other club.

If Cincy sticks to their Browning plan, and if Browning does not improve, the 2-2 team could soon be 2-5 (the Bengals’ next three games are against the Lions, Packers, and Steelers). And, if that should happen, Pelissero logically predicts that rival teams will consider the Bengals deadline sellers and will begin calling about their logical trade candidates (which likely would include DE Trey Hendrickson).

NFL Minor Transactions: 10/3/25

October 3rd, 2025 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Friday’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Las Vegas Raiders

The Bengals are the second team to claim Jefferson this year. A 2024 fourth-round pick out of LSU, Jefferson couldn’t make it to Year 2 in Jacksonville and was waived in final roster cuts. Cincinnati tried to claim him then, badly needing improved depth on their defensive line at the time, but San Francisco had higher priority. When the Niners waiving him yesterday, the Bengals got a second chance to claim him.

Jackson is dealing with a foot injury that will take at least four weeks to come back from, making him an easy candidate for injured reserve.

Bengals Express Confidence In Jake Browning; Team Unlikely To Make QB Trade?

October 2nd, 2025 at 10:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

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 Make RG Switch

September 29th, 2025 at 8:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

SEPTEMBER 29: Cincinnati did opt to make a switch at right guard, starting Rivers in place of Risner for their Monday night matchup with the Broncos.

SEPTEMBER 26: The Bengals are considering a change at right guard for Week 4 after veteran Dalton Risner‘s struggles in the last two weeks.

Lucas Patrick won the starting job out of training camp, but landed on injured reserve after Week 1 with a calf injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6.

The Bengals were originally planning to start Risner until then, but he injured his calf in Week 3 with rookie Jalen Rivers finishing the game.

Though Risner appears to be healthy this week – he was a full participant in practice on Thursday – head coach Zac Taylor indicated (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer) that the team was considering starting Rivers in Week 4. Risner has not played well this year; his 42.4 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is the ninth-worst among guards with at least 125 snaps this year.

Rivers only received a 50.7 grade from PFF in Week 3, but practicing with the first-team could improve his chemistry and confidence for Week 4.

“This week, I’m getting some reps with the 1s,” said Rivers, per Conway. “Getting the cadence down. Being next to the guys, [center Ted Karras] and [right tackle Amarius Mims], just gelling with them. If I am in on Monday…it’s good to gel with the guys. Monday Night Football, everyone is watching, they are going to trust me, I’m going to make the most of my opportunity.”

Starting Rivers would introduce a second rookie into the Bengals’ starting OL. Third-round pick Dylan Fairchild has started all three games at LG, with somewhat disappointing results. His 52.3 PFF grade ranks among the bottom-20 guards (min. 125 snaps).

There is certainly some risk with starting a pair of rookie offensive linemen, though they won’t be responsible for protecting franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Rivers and Fairchild would instead be playing in front of backup Jake Browning, who has struggled under pressure since taking over the starting job. It’s not that the Bengals don’t care about Browning’s health, but they might be willing to roll the dice with him under cetner rather than Burrow.

The Bengals have struggled to develop their drafted offensive linemen over the last few years, but starting Rivers could help his long-term progression. He would get starting reps against starting-caliber competition, which could be a baptism by fire that helps him in the long run.

Contract Details: T. Smith, Z. Smith, 49ers

September 26th, 2025 at 5:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest details from recently agreed-upon contracts:

  • Tyler Smith, G (Cowboys). Four years, $96MM. Receiving $41.66MM guaranteed at signing, the NFL’s highest-paid guard secured a rolling guarantee structure. Smith’s 2025 and ’26 base salaries are locked in at signing. A $12MM portion of his 2027 compensation becomes fully guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, per Spotrac. A $19MM chunk of Smith’s 2028 compensation shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2027 league year. On Day 5 of the ’28 league year, Smith stands to see $6.6MM of his ’29 compensation lock in. The Cowboys would owe Smith a $21MM option bonus by Week 1 of the 2029 season; a $20MM option bonus would be due by Week 1 of the 2030 slate. Four void years are in this contract.
  • Colton McKivitz, RT (49ers). Three years, $45MM. Of McKivitz’s $27MM guaranteed, $18.71MM is guaranteed at signing (per OverTheCap). McKivitz’s money is guaranteed in 2025 and ’26, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who notes an early guarantee date exists in this contract as well. McKivitz’s $12.67MM 2027 option bonus features an $8.29MM injury guarantee; $6.29MM of the latter number vests on April 1, 2026, giving the veteran tackle some early security. Another $2MM of that bonus becomes guaranteed on April 1, 2027. McKivitz’s 2028 compensation is nonguaranteed. Because of the option bonuses and four void years, the deal does not bring a $10MM cap number until 2028.
  • Za’Darius Smith, OLB (Eagles). One year, $4.25MM. Initially reported as being worth up to $9MM, Smith’s Philadelphia contract carries $4.25MM in base value, per Florio. There are $2MM in sack-based incentives included, and a $500K Pro Bowl bonus is part of the package as well. The “up to” report also brought a minor inflation, with Florio adding Smith maxing out incentives would bring the value to $8.25MM.
  • Dalton Risner, G (Bengals). One year, $1.34MM. This value (reported by OverTheCap) is barely above the veteran minimum, but with Risner on the Bengals’ Week 1 roster, it is fully guaranteed (rather than just the $168K guarantee-at-signing figure). This is another pay cut for Risner, who earned $2.78MM in 2023 and $2.41MM last season.

Bengals Did Not Seek Trade For QB Following Joe Burrow Injury

September 21st, 2025 at 11:05am CST by Rory Parks

On Tuesday, the Bengals signed free agents Sean Clifford and Mike White to supplement their QB depth chart in the wake of Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury, which will keep the star signal-caller sidelined until sometime in December. But as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports, Cincinnati did not make any trade inquiries into veteran passers on other teams.

The implication is that the Bengals believe Browning gives them at least as good of a chance to win as any trade candidate. And there is some justification for that belief. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter observes, Browning’s 70.4% completion percentage during the seven games he played in relief of an injured Burrow in 2023 led the NFL. That percentage was not simply a function of short, safe passes, because his 267 passing yards-per-game average was the sixth-highest mark in the league during his stint as a starter (which yielded a 4-3 record).

After Burrow exited last week’s game against the Jaguars, Browning completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns while also rushing for the game-winning score in the waning moments of the contest. However, he did throw three interceptions, so ball security was surely a point of emphasis in practice this week.

Despite close calls against the Browns and Jags to open the current campaign, the Bengals are 2-0. They will hope that Browning can keep them in the running for a playoff berth come December, when Burrow will have a chance to return. Rapoport says that remains a possibility and that Cincinnati could have the two-time Pro Bowler back on the field for the last few games of the regular season if the team’s record warrants it, though Burrow’s rehab will also have to go “perfectly.”

For the 29-year-old Browning, the next several months represent a prime opportunity to cash in. As Rapoport points out, the 2019 UDFA did not stick on an active roster until 2023. Therefore, he will only hit three years of service time at the end of this season, which will make him a restricted free agent in 2026.

The Bengals will have the option of tendering Browning at the original-round level (a tender that was worth $3.4MM this year), second-round level ($5.33MM), or first-round level ($7.5MM). Given Burrow’s history of health concerns, a first-round tender is not out of the question, especially since annual salaries for qualified backup QBs are around the $6MM-$8MM range (with the obvious exception of Kirk Cousins, who was not signed to be a backup).

Rapoport also leaves open the possibility that the Bengals and Browning could agree to an extension, as the Bears and Tyson Bagent did in August. Or, if Browning plays well enough to convince another team he can be a full-time starter, such a team could sign the Washington product to an offer sheet that Cincy cannot match.

Of course, a great deal has to go right for that to be a realistic possibility. For now, Browning & Co. will try to navigate a schedule that includes matchups with playoff hopefuls like the Broncos, Lions, Packers, and Steelers.

AFC Injury Updates: Stewart, Worthy, Szmyt

September 19th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Despite missing most of his first offseason because of a contract dispute, Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart has impressed with his early contributions in the first weeks of the season. Unfortunately, despite his hard work to be ready to contribute early, Stewart could be looking at a multi-week absence, according to what he told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Per The Enquirer, Stewart is “dealing with a low ankle sprain and could be out a few weeks.” The first-round pick out of Texas A&M was just outpaced by starter Joseph Ossai across from Trey Hendrickson in Week 1, but Week 2 saw Stewart earn his first start and continue to work a strong snap share before getting sidelined with an injury in the fourth quarter. Now Myles Murphy will have to step up for a few games in Stewart’s absence.

While Stewart has been ruled out, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is listed as doubtful for this weekend. Taylor-Britt seems to have tweaked a hamstring injury that had held him out for an extended portion of training camp. Cincinnati likely won’t risk anything with something as finicky as a hamstring injury.

Here are a couple other injury updates from across the AFC:

  • The Chiefs are desperately hoping to see some reinforcements at wide receiver arrive soon. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, wide receiver Xavier Worthy has been classified as “50-50” to return this weekend for the team’s trip to New York. Worthy was a limited participant in Thursday and Friday practices last week and has ramped up his workload as he attempts overcome an ailing shoulder. He’s still been limited and listed as questionable this week, but there appears to be some optimism that a return could come soon.
  • Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Browns kicker Andre Szmyt was sent to get an MRI performed today after he “felt something” during practice. No free agent kickers have been called for workouts or signed to the practice squad, though it only occurred earlier today, so it may just have been precautionary. The team’s efforts to bring in other kicking options tomorrow should tell us what we need to know about Szmyt’s health and availability for the weekend.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow Undergoes Surgery

September 19th, 2025 at 11:58am CST by Adam La Rose

SETPEMBER 19: Burrow did indeed undergo surgery today, head coach Zac Taylor said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). He added the procedure went well and noted there is no firm timeline in place for Burrow’s recovery process.

SEPTEMBER 18: Joe Burrow‘s turf toe will leave the Bengals without their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. His recovery process could begin shortly.

Burrow is currently scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The timing of the procedure will depend on the swelling in Burrow’s injured toe, and it could be pushed back a few days if needed. In any case, Dr. Norman Waldrop will perform the surgery, per Rapoport.

Dr. Waldrop has worked under renowned surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, and he has experience with a number of high-profile procedures. This Burrow one will add to that list, and a recovery period of at least three months is in store. As such, Jake Browning will be tasked with leading Cincinnati’s offense through the bulk of the campaign as the team looks to build off a 2-0 start to the year.

Expectations for the team in 2025 have understandably taken a major hit in the wake of Burrow’s injury, though. The former No. 1 pick has now suffered three major ailments in his six-year NFL career, and the timing of his latest one could leave him unavailable for the rest of the season depending on the timing of the procedure and his recovery process. Burrow, 28, is attached to his $55MM-per-year extension through 2029 so a cautious approach regarding his return should be expected.

In the meantime, Browning and Brett Rypien will handle QB duties on the active roster. Rypien was recently promoted to the 53-man roster with Mike White and Sean Clifford being added to the practice squad. Those four passers will handle their respective roles while Burrow rehabs his toe. Provided his surgery goes as planned, the countdown to when he will once again be available to Cincinnati will begin.

Load More Posts