It’s a twist nobody saw coming. A season once built around Joe Burrow has been turned upside down in a flash. And standing tall in the middle of the chaos? Jake Browning. The backup QB is now carrying the weight of an entire franchise on his shoulders. The Bengals are sitting at 2-0, but the vibe in Cincinnati is anything but relaxed. Burrow’s severe Grade 3 turf toe injury has disrupted the team’s future planning, totally restructuring their quarterback situation overnight while they try to maintain their playoff hopes.

In the midst of all this chaos, Browning just reached a major milestone. This week, ESPN listed him as the second-best backup quarterback in the league. This honor says something about his composure in pressure situations and the Bengals’ faith in him. He’s no stranger to big moments either: a 4-3 record as a starter last year when Burrow went down, and just this past Sunday, a 241-yard, 3-touchdown performance ending with a tough 1-yard sneak to seal a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Head coach Zac Taylor’s faith in Jake Browning is absolute. “He knows the playbook inside and out,” he said, praising Browning’s control at the line and leadership in the huddle. Soon, that trust is about to be put to the ultimate test. A brutal five-game test against playoff contenders, starting this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Taylor didn’t wait around to fortify the depth chart. With Burrow placed on the Reserve/Injured list, the Bengals promoted Brett Rypien to the active roster and signed both Sean Clifford and Mike White to the practice squad. The message is clear: this team isn’t folding. For now, Jake stands as the unexpected cornerstone of a team that refuses to flinch. The path ahead is tough, but if his recent performance is any indication, he’s ready to tackle it head-on.

Bengals add quarterback depth to support Jake Browning’s charge

Behind all the drama, the Bengals have been quietly revamping their quarterback lineup—just in case things go south.

They added Sean Clifford, a local hero. The former St. Xavier High School and Penn State standout just signed with the Bengals’ practice squad this week. Clifford was a fifth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2023. There, he made appearances in wins against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, even seeing some playoff action. During his time at Penn State, he made quite a name for himself, racking up 10,661 passing yards and 86 touchdowns. Also, a school-record 32 wins as a starter from 2017 to 2022.

Clifford will also be teaming up again with his former college buddy Mitchell Tinsley, who showcased the chemistry last Sunday with an incredible one-handed touchdown catch against Jacksonville.

Alongside him is Mike White, the seasoned veteran who’s had stints with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. A fifth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, White has been through it all. With fifteen career games under his belt, he’s thrown for 2,247 yards and nine touchdowns. And, most importantly, he brings the experience the Bengals needed.

It’s a complete makeover at quarterback, and it was necessary. The upcoming weeks will be crucial. With Jake Browning now at the helm and a revamped QB crew ready to step in, the Bengals’ resilience is about to face its biggest challenge yet.