The Cincinnati Bengals are staring down a potential quarterback shake-up after a nightmare outing – is it time to pull the trigger on a change?
Imagine watching your team's signal-caller toss three interceptions in a single game, and suddenly, the whispers of a benching start to feel like a real possibility. That's exactly what happened to the Bengals after Jake Browning's rough performance against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, leaving head coach Zac Taylor open to exploring a quarterback switch. But here's where it gets controversial – is this the right move, or is it just panic setting in?
In the aftermath of the Lions' 37-24 victory, Taylor fielded questions about whether Browning would remain the starter. His response wasn't a ringing endorsement. 'We're going to evaluate all our players after a game like that to ensure we're making the best decisions,' Taylor explained. 'It's a valid question given the turnovers. I still believe Jake can lead us to wins, but we'll keep an eye on every option.'
Browning did shine for the Bengals two seasons back, but this year has been a different story: a 0-3 record as the starter, with the team getting demolished 113-37 in those games since he took over in Week 3. To put it in perspective for newcomers to the NFL scene, that's like being outscored by more than three touchdowns per game – a recipe for frustration among fans and coaches alike. And this is the part most people miss: Over the last three weeks, the Bengals have arguably been the NFL's worst team, even edging out the 0-5 New York Jets in terms of sheer awfulness.
Yet, despite this rocky patch – one of the ugliest three-game slides in franchise history – the Bengals aren't completely out of the AFC North race. The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with their own chaos, the Cleveland Browns are being the Browns (you know, unpredictable and often underwhelming), and even the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a 3-1 start, haven't been dominating. Here's the current AFC North standings to break it down simply:
- Steelers (3-1)
- Bengals (2-3)
- Ravens (1-4)
- Browns (1-4)
The Bengals face the Steelers in Week 7, and a victory there could catapult them back into contention. Taylor knows the division's dynamics well, as he pointed out unprompted post-game: 'I'm aware of what's happening in the AFC and our division. If we weather this storm and unite, we can improve offensively and start scoring.' But if scoring is the goal, Browning might not be the answer – during this losing streak, the Bengals have been outscored 69-9 in the first halves alone, meaning games are often decided before halftime snacks are even finished.
Benching Browning now would signal to fans that Taylor is all-in on winning, and the front office could reinforce that with a trade. So, who steps up? Let's dive into the options.
On the trade front, the Bengals are rare birds – they've only made two midseason player acquisitions in the last 52 years, so they'd need to be truly desperate after Sunday's defeat. That desperation seems warranted. I highlighted some targets last week (check out that piece for more details), but here's a quick rundown of potential upgrades over Browning, each with their baggage as backup quarterbacks:
- Russell Wilson from the New York Giants: A veteran with experience, but age and recent struggles could be factors.
- Jameis Winston, also from the Giants: Flashy but inconsistent, known for big plays and big mistakes.
- Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons: Reliable in spurts, but his contract demands might complicate things.
- Jimmy Garoppolo from the Los Angeles Rams: Steady, but injury-prone and not the most dynamic.
- Andy Dalton of the Carolina Panthers: A solid veteran who's started before, though his prime might be behind him.
All these guys have flaws – that's why they're backups – but they'd likely provide a boost. Derek Carr is another name floating around, but a shoulder injury has him sidelined, and it's unclear if he's ready. Ryan Tannehill, a former first-round pick, could be an option too; he chatted with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason but stayed put. The perk? He's a free agent, so no trade needed.
The Bengals head to Green Bay in Week 6, so a new quarterback probably wouldn't debut there – they'd aim for the Week 7 clash with the Steelers, where a win could reignite their playoff hopes.
Internally, the Bengals' depth chart isn't inspiring, which might explain Taylor's hesitation. Brett Rypien, the backup on Sunday, hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2023. Sean Clifford, drafted by the Packers in 2023, has just one career NFL pass. Mike White, who once racked up 405 yards against the Bengals back in 2021, has only 17 passes and zero starts in the last two years.
Collectively, these three have combined for just 11 passes this season, all from White. And none have practiced Zac Taylor's system extensively – Rypien joined late in August, while Clifford and White arrived after Joe Burrow's mid-September injury (which sidelined him for at least three months).
Browning went 4-3 as starter in 2023 when Burrow was hurt, so the team trusted him this time. But now, with big contracts for stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the line, inaction could waste that investment. Bengals management hates squandering money, so perhaps that'll push them toward a change.
Looking ahead, Burrow's possible late-December return offers hope, but only if the team stays in playoff contention. Otherwise, that light at the end of the tunnel might flicker out, and Burrow could sit out the rest of the year.
What do you think, fans? Should the Bengals bench Browning and roll the dice on a trade or internal option, or does he deserve more time to turn it around? Is this move a bold step toward salvation, or just a risky gamble that could backfire? Share your thoughts in the comments – I'd love to hear your take!
