The Cincinnati Bengals may have assumed they had an answer in backup quarterback Jake Browning if something happened to Joe Burrow during the 2025 season, but that has not proven the case over the past two games.
Browning led the Bengals to a 4-3 record in Burrow’s absence back in 2023, but he is 0-2 in three appearances this year, with 506 passing yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. More importantly, Cincinnati’s offense has tallied a total of just 13 points over the last two outings, both of which were blowout road losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos, respectively.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on Wednesday, that the Bengals plan to roll with Browning for the immediate future. However, he also indicated that continued offensive struggles could lead to a short rope and activity on the trade market.
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“The Bengals still believe in Jake Browning, who was far from the only culprit in Denver on Monday, but Cincinnati has too much skill position talent to accept the status quo,” Fowler wrote. “At some point, it could need reinforcements at the game’s most important position.”
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report on Tuesday compiled a list of the top five trade candidates for the Bengals if they decide to move off Browning. Among those names was New York Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
“The Bengals should view Jameis Winston as the rollercoaster ride option; trade for him in case of an emergency,” Moton wrote. “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.”
Winston is 36-51 as an NFL starter, with 24,225 passing yards, 154 touchdowns and 111 interceptions. He started seven games for the Cleveland Browns last season, going 2-5 and throwing for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
But his two wins came against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, both of which earned playoff berths following the 2024 campaign. Not to mention, Browns’ No. 1 wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has never been close to as productive at any point in his career as he was while Winston was delivering him deep strikes down the field.
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