In a mildly surprising moment in the Cincinnati Bengals’ Wednesday afternoon press conference, Zac Taylor’s quarterback room earned a vote of confidence. After Joe Burrow went down with a probable season-ending injury in Week 2, Jake Browning came in and led the team to a win. Since then, Browning and the Bengals have…struggled.
Now at 2-2, the Bengals’ season feels over already. After back-to-back embarrassing losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos, there have been calls for change. While Taylor’s job is inexplicably safe (don’t hold your breath, the Bengals don’t do in-season firings), Browning was the focus of much ire. However, despite not looking like a semi-decent NFL quarterback since his 2023 “Linsanity” run, Browning is safe, according to his coach. The third-year backup quarterback from Washington struggled against the Broncos, only passing for 125 yards and no touchdowns. He completed just 14 of 25 attempts, but at least he didn’t turn the ball over!
“I’ve got a ton of confidence in Jake. I’m unwavering in that,” Taylor exclaimed. “I’ve seen the best of Jake. I know that we can do a great job supporting him so he can go win the games for us, so I feel extremely confident in Jake Browning.”
He was also asked if the team will/should add a quarterback. Taylor doesn’t see it happening.
”I don’t think so. I think with every position we’re always assessing, that’s Duke [Tobin]’s job. That’s the personnel department. They do a great job of that. Presenting us options when Joe went down.”
Zac Taylor’s Quarterback Decision Means the Tank is On in Cincinnati
The Bengals are not a good football team. While Ja’Marr Chase is a superstar, Tee Higgins could be the best WR2 in the league, and Trey Hendrickson is still fantastic, the rest of the roster leaves plenty to be desired. There have been flashes, of course. Dylan Fairchild has struggled, but he’s a rookie and has shown that he has what it takes to succeed at the NFL level. Shemar Stewart has been battling an injury over the last few weeks, but when he played, he was disruptive. Sure, he hasn’t been productive, just like in college, but he’s been affecting the game in a way not evident by the statsheet.
Now that we know Browning is the guy, it seems Taylor is anchoring his future to the play of his number-two quarterback. Considering who he coaches for, it makes sense. Taylor can afford to tie his future to a bad player because the Bengals just don’t fire coaches in-season. There is a very real possibility that he coaches out his contract and, barring a massive turn for the better in 2026, he and the team will “mutually” part ways, just like his predecessor. For a well-run organization that doesn’t give coaches a mile-long leash for losing the Super Bowl, willingly hitching a wagon to a bad player is a one-way ticket to the unemployment line.
Regardless, Taylor reaffirming his commitment to Browning shows that the Bengals are punting this season.
Looking to 2026
When Burrow was injured in 2023, it was in Week 10. The Bengals lost to the Baltimore Ravens and were sitting at 5-5. While the team ended up 9-8 and narrowly missed the playoffs, it may have been better if they had tanked. For reference, if the Bengals had lost out and finished 5-12, it would have had the same record as the Los Angeles Chargers, who picked fifth. That pick was Joe Alt. Imagine if the Bengals’ first-round pick had been Alt or any of the other top-10 talents. Knowing the team, the Bengals might have still picked Amarius Mims, honestly. Regardless, they could have traded back and stockpiled more picks.
This year’s class could have a handful of instant-impact players. The downside is that there might not be an elite quarterback worth trading up for, thus limiting the Bengals’ options for trading back.
On the defensive side of the ball, names like Rueben Bain Jr., Caleb Downs, or even T.J. Parker could be day-one starters. If offense is the move, the Bengals could have their pick of the litter on the offensive line, like Francis Mauigoa, Kadyn Proctor, or Spencer Fano.
Obviously, trading back could be a solid prospect. If the Bengals can get an even more poorly-run team to give up, say, multiple picks including a future first to move back three spots, that would be even better.
If the Bengals do stick with Browning for the final 13 games, they’ll be able to pick an elite player in the 2026 NFL Draft. It would require a little forward thinking, but if that’s the move, the Bengals need to get a jump on it this year. Hendrickson is not going to willingly re-sign with the team unless the Bengals get drastically better at negotiating. While the Franchise Tag is a very, very real option, trading him away at this year’s trade deadline would do wonders. The Bengals should see what they can get for any of the players they don’t anticipate bringing back.
Sticking with Browning shows that the tank is on. Considering they are a season removed from a legitimate MVP candidate leading the NFL in all passing, the wide receiver Triple Crown winner who could have been the Offensive Player of the Year, and the guy who led the way in sacks, this is an incredibly disappointing revelation.
However, it just goes to show just how valuable Joe Burrow really is.
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