Jake Browning Admits Being “Pissed” by Bengals’ Decision to Bench Him

Jake Browning was demoted to the bench ahead of the Bengals week 6 game against the Packers in favor of Joe Flacco.

Jake Browning Admits Being “Pissed” by Bengals’ Decision to Bench Him

Joe Flacco and Jake Browning (Image via IMAGO)

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Jake Browning has not taken the news of being replaced by Joe Flacco lightly. In fact, reports suggested that he’s unhappy with the Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to bench him for the veteran newcomer.

Head coach Zac Taylor made Browning the starter after Joe Burrow picked up a toe injury in the Bengals’ week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, three straight losses and an aggregate score of 37-113 later, Brown benched the Washington graduate for 40-year-old Flacco ahead of their week 6 clash against the Green Bay Packers.

While speaking with the media on Wednesday, Browning revealed that “it sucks” to lose the QB1 job after he was entrusted with it by the front office.

I think it sucks, but like I said, everyone’s in the middle of a season. I think, ‘Welcome to pro football.’ If you don’t play well, you’re going to get replaced.

Jake Browning said (HT/Mike Petraglia)

Browning agreed to make mistakes that led to the Bengals embarking on a losing streak, but he refused to shoulder all the blame.

Obviously, I’m pissed. If I wasn’t pissed, then I shouldn’t be in this locker room… I’m aware of the role I played in the offensive struggles over the last few weeks, but I’m also not shouldering the entire situation. I went through yesterday, watched my throws, tried to come up with some stuff I want to work on, and just did that.

Browning said

Taylor told the media that Browning would remain the starter despite the defeat in week five, but he was open to every possibility. Earlier this week, the Bengals agreed to send a fifth draft pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Flacco and a sixth-round pick.

The Super Bowl winner was benched after a 1-3 start that included an opening day loss to the Bengals. Rookie Dillon Gabriel started last week in London with Flacco on the bench. A couple of days later, Flacco boarded a flight across the state of Ohio and landed in Cincinnati to take over the reins as the Bengals’ starter.

With Flacco no longer in Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders may be elevated to QB2, and Bailey Zappe designated as the third choice.

The Bengals had no choice but to replace Jake Browning with Joe Flacco

Burrow orchestrated two wins to start the 2025 season, which ended prematurely after undergoing surgery on his injured toe. Taylor entrusted the quarterback job to Browning, who had impressed during similar circumstances in 2023.

Jake Browning Admits Being "Pissed" by Bengals' Decision to Bench Him
Jake Browning (Image via IMAGO)

Browning played seven games, threw 174 completions for 1936 yards (70.4% completion), and had 15 overall touchdowns and 7 interceptions to post a 4-3 record.

However, lightning did not strike twice. Browning threw 8 interceptions compared to 6 touchdowns in that period, aside from achieving a 64.5% completion rate for 757 passing yards.

Flacco will start against the Packers. He defeated the NFC North side in week two with his former team. Flacco threw 21 completions for 142 yards and 1 interception. So far, he has completed 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions from four starts.

  • Game: Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
  • Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
  • Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
  • City: Green Bay, Wisconsin
  • Venue: Lambeau Field
  • Channel: CBS Sports/ Paramount+
  • Spread: Packers -14

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