QB Shake-Up Looming? Bengals HC Zac Taylor Noncommittal After Jake Browning’s Latest Loss

Zac Taylor is keeping his options open about the quarterback position ahead of the Packers game.

QB Shake-Up Looming? Bengals HC Zac Taylor Noncommittal After Jake Browning’s Latest Loss

Joe Burrow and Jake Browning (Image via IMAGO)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Jake Browning is quickly losing grip on the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback position. The Bengals lost the last three fixtures with Browning after Joe Burrow led them to a 2-0 start in the first two weeks.

Browning’s inability to move the sticks and concede turnovers at regular intervals has created doubts among the Bengals’ front office about whether they should stick with him or try something else. They have been outscored 113-37 with the 29-year-old under center, and he’s thrown 8 picks (second most and only behind the Raiders QB Geno Smith with 9) during that period.

The defeat against the Detroit Lions in particular exposed Browning’s limitations as a quarterback. Sure, he threw three touchdown passes, but he also conceded three, canceling out his good work.

Up next, the Bengals travel to Wisconsin and face the 2-1-1 Green Bay Packers, who had a bye week. Browning, for the moment, is the starter, but head coach Zac Taylor will assess all the options before naming his starting quarterback.

We’ll see where it goes. You know, I think—like all personnel decisions—we’ve got to evaluate it. Jake’s been very accountable for how the game went for him. I’ve got to be accountable for how the game went for me as well. And so we’ll continue to progress here through the days.

Zac Taylor said (H/T: NFL.com)

According to early odds by AZCentral, the Packers are 14.5-point favorites to defeat the Bengals in week six.

Who could realistically replace Jake Browning for the Bengals?

Taylor’s options are limited. Seven-year veteran Brett Rypien backed up Browning during the past few weeks. He has played 10 combined games for the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams.

QB Shake-Up Looming? Bengals HC Zac Taylor Noncommittal After Jake Browning’s Latest Loss
Jake Browning (Image via IMAGO)

The front office signed veterans Mike White and Sean Clifford to the practice squad if things went south, but neither has played much football recently.

White has bounced around several NFL rosters, including the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills, before joining the Bengals. In 15 games, White started seven and posted a 2-5 record.

Clifford, a Cincinnati native, was part of the Packers roster in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Taylor also has the option to trade for a temporary stand-in quarterback. One name the Bengals have been linked with is Jameis Winston. The experienced journeyman is currently the third choice on the Giants’ roster behind Jaxson Dart and Russell Wilson.

Winston’s familiarity with the AFC North may be helpful for the Bengals. He started 7 games (played in 12) and posted a 2-5 record.

The Giants signed Winston on a two-year deal, but he should be open to starting in Cincinnati.

The Bengals should view Jameis Winston as the rollercoaster ride option; trade for him in case of an emergency. The big-armed pocket-passer will feed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at a high volume, but he’s also likely to turn the ball over at least once a game. Winston would bring immediate excitement to Cincinnati’s offense, but the club must weigh the cost of his careless throws that could put the defense in tough spots and force the offense into track meets.

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report wrote in a recent article

Winston is 36-51 as an NFL starter with 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns, and 111 interceptions.

Also Read: