Quarterback Jake Browning stepped into action in Week 2, rallying the Cincinnati Bengals to a 31–27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the game where quarterback Joe Burrow was sidelined due to a turf-toe injury, he threw three interceptions that afternoon but also added two touchdowns and generated 241 passing yards. But the offense over the past two games has faltered; the Bengals have managed just 13 total points, with Browning struggling for consistency. This is why everyone is asking and thinking whether the Bengals will add another QB to the roster and give Browning some competition.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shifted responsibility for potential quarterback additions to Duke Tobin, who effectively serves as the team’s general manager, when questioned about roster moves following Joe Burrow’s injury. “I think with every position we are always assessing. That’s Duke’s job. That is the personnel department. They do a great job of that. Presenting us with options when Joe went down with the other guys, we could bring in the room as well. We thoroughly exhaust that,” Taylor said.

While deflecting the trade question, he also backed his QB Jake to the hilt. “I’ve got a ton of confidence in Jake. I’m unwavering in that. I’ve seen the best of Jake. I know we can do a great job supporting him so that he can win games for us. I feel extremely confident in Jake Browning,” Zac Taylor said, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.  

With Browning starting, Cincinnati has lost two games by a score of 76–13. In addition to one touchdown and two interceptions, he has passed for 140 yards and 125 yards, respectively. He has a 66.6 passer rating and has completed 63.5% of his throws in the two starts. Browning is ranked 33rd out of 35 players with a total QBR of 26.5.

Zac Taylor, the head coach of the Bengals, is putting even more faith in Jake Browning to be the team’s starting quarterback. Taylor’s faith is perhaps justified by Browning’s 2023 run. In seven starts that season, he completed an outstanding 70.4% of his passes while filling in for an injured Burrow, finishing with roughly 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Jake Browning’s Monday night showing made Cincinnati’s quarterback problem undeniable. The backup completed just 14-of-25 passes for 125 yards, and while he avoided turnovers, the Bengals have managed only 13 points across eight quarters with him under center.

The production is simply unacceptable given Cincinnati’s offensive weapons. An offense featuring Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown should be capable of consistently scoring points regardless of who plays quarterback.

Cincinnati’s offense must get back on track. The Bengals are still within striking distance in the AFC North with a 2–2 record for the 2025 campaign. The Cincinnati Bengals were linked to several well-known quarterbacks in several trade rumors. Following the Cincinnati offense’s contributions to the team’s 28-3 loss to the Denver Broncos and 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, the rumor mills can’t stop speculating.

Zac Taylor’s QB situation intensifies with trade rumours

Russell Wilson trade rumors have started to circulate in Cincinnati as a result of Joe Burrow’s injury and Jake Browning’s inability to lead the offense. Wilson is anticipated to surface as a trade candidate before the deadline on November 4. “Last week, there was stray chatter of Wilson to the Bengals for a fifth-round pick,” Mike Florio reported.

Wilson has been benched in favor of youngster Jaxson Dart, and there has been recent “stray chatter” that the Bengals would give the New York Giants a fifth-round pick in exchange for Wilson, according to sources from Pro Football Talk. The Saints and the Bengals are two teams that may decide to pursue Wilson. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati’s injured starter, won’t be available until at least mid-December.

Analysts point to Wilson’s playmaking ability and veteran experience as fuel for the trade rumors. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report labeled him the best candidate to “spark” Cincinnati’s offense, highlighting his 10 Pro Bowl appearances and field-stretching ability. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated suggested the Bengals should seriously consider Wilson as a short-term solution to stabilize the quarterback room until Joe Burrow returns.

QB Brett Rypien isn’t a threat to unseat Browning, and while QBs Mike White and Sean Clifford are on the practice squad, neither is a real starting option. Wilson may not be at his peak, but he’s still capable of making big plays. He led the Steelers past the Bengals last season. The Bengals wouldn’t rely on him to carry them to a Super Bowl; they’d simply be asking him to deliver the ball to their weapons and give the team a chance in key games.

Currently, no official offer or discussion regarding Wilson has been confirmed. Cincinnati’s next steps will depend on multiple factors, including Browning’s performance in the coming weeks and the team’s willingness to use draft resources. Wilson has just $1.55 million in remaining base salary and has accepted his demotion, stating he would not request a trade and would instead mentor Dart. Wilson was benched after the Giants dropped to 0-3 following their loss to the Chiefs last week.

In any case, Wilson’s name has reappeared at the ideal moment, and the Bengals cannot overlook it if they hope to save their season.