The Cincinnati Bengals have officially moved on from one of their reserve quarterbacks. Head coach Zac Taylor had hinted earlier this week that a shake-up could be coming at quarterback ahead of the team’s upcoming matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Taylor acknowledged that Jake Browning, Brett Rypien, or one of the practice squad quarterbacks—Mike White or Sean Clifford—could get the nod in Green Bay. But now, that picture just got clearer. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals have released quarterback Mike White from their practice squad.

Cincinnati originally added both White and Clifford to the practice squad in September, bringing their total quarterback count to four. The former fifth-round pick leaves the team with seven career starts across four seasons, completing 61% of his passes for 2,247 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. With White gone and Burrow still sidelined due to a toe injury, Jake Browning stands as the Bengals’ only healthy quarterback on the active roster heading into Week 6.

As an unrestricted free agent in 2023, White signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins worth several million dollars. He was entering the second year of that deal and set to earn a $3.5 million base salary in 2024 before Miami cut him loose in August. Shortly after, White joined the Buffalo Bills, where he signed to the active roster late last season but was part of the team’s final cuts this year. Cincinnati then picked him up for its practice squad in September.

In 2023, White appeared in six games for the Dolphins, completing five of six passes for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Despite limited opportunities, his experience as a spot starter across four NFL seasons made him a logical depth piece, but the Bengals clearly have other plans.

Possible reinforcements are already being discussed. Names like Jameis Winston have surfaced as free-agent options, while more aggressive scenarios—such as making a blockbuster move for Kirk Cousins from Atlanta—remain on the table. Whatever Zac Taylor decides, it’s clear Cincinnati needs more than just a temporary fix if they hope to stay competitive until Burrow returns.

Zac Taylor faces pivotal test after Bengals’ offensive collapse

Cincinnati’s 37–24 loss to the Detroit Lions looked closer than it was. Three garbage-time touchdowns in the fourth quarter did little to disguise how poorly the offense played for most of the game. Browning struggled mightily, tossing three interceptions, and the Bengals dropped their third straight game, having now been outscored 113–37 in defeats to the Vikings, Broncos, and Lions.

Browning’s eight interceptions through four games are the second most in the NFL, trailing only Geno Smith’s nine in Las Vegas. Despite Taylor’s postgame vote of confidence, he didn’t rule out a quarterback change while speaking to reporters Monday. “We’ll see where it goes,” Taylor said when asked if Browning would remain the starter.

“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.”

Taylor admitted he’s looking for ways to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers more effectively. The Bengals finally found some rhythm late. After going 2-of-9 for 40 yards and three picks on passes of at least 10 air yards, Browning rebounded to hit 4-for-4 for 122 yards and two touchdowns downfield in the final frame.

“I think most of mine were trying to force plays,” Browning said after the loss. The Bengals averaged 5.3 yards per carry against Detroit, marking clear improvement over recent weeks. Establishing balance, especially with Burrow still out, might be the only way to keep this team competitive in a brutal AFC race.