Is Jake Browning's time as the Bengals' starter coming to an end after another tough outing? Dive into the drama unfolding in Cincinnati, where a struggling quarterback and a coach's wavering confidence are sparking heated debates among fans and experts alike.
Ben Baby
Oct 5, 2025, 09:50 PM ET
Ben Baby is ESPN's dedicated reporter for the Cincinnati Bengals, having joined the network in July 2019. Before that, he honed his skills at several Texas newspapers, including his most recent role at The Dallas Morning News, where he focused on college sports. Now, he delivers daily updates on the Bengals via ESPN.com and pops up on shows like SportsCenter, NFL programs, and ESPN Radio. Hailing from Grapevine, Texas, Ben earned his bachelor's in journalism from the University of North Texas. He's also an adjunct professor in journalism at Southern Methodist University and proudly belongs to the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor hinted at the possibility of shaking things up at quarterback following Jake Browning's latest disappointing performance in a 37-24 defeat against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. This loss marked the third straight for the Bengals, and Taylor emphasized that he'd be reviewing the entire team's contributions to ensure they're on the right path.
Taylor explained that after such a game, it's crucial to assess all players and make sure the team is set up for success. When pressed on whether he still had faith in Browning going forward, he acknowledged the fair question, especially given the high number of turnovers. "After a game like that, we're going to look at all personnel to make sure we're doing the right thing," Taylor stated. "I won't shy away from that because it's a very fair question after the amount of turnovers that we had."
Browning's stats for the day were 26 completions out of 40 attempts, totaling 251 passing yards, along with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Interestingly, all three of those touchdowns and 133 of the yards came in the fourth quarter, after the Bengals had been dominated early on—yet another pattern in their recent three-game skid.
Browning stepped in as the replacement for the injured Joe Burrow, and the fans made their feelings known, booing him during several first-half drives, including once as he took the field with the offense. The experienced backup QB didn't argue with the crowd's reaction. In his post-game comments, Browning admitted he hadn't performed at a level that could help the Bengals win, letting down both his teammates and the supporters.
One of his interceptions was a deep pass aimed at wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, which stood out because most of his throws up to that point had been shorter routes. This season, Browning has already tossed eight interceptions across four games. For context, when he started seven games in 2023 as Burrow's fill-in, he threw seven picks in nine total appearances.
"I got to pick my spots better," Browning reflected. "I threw three picks that were just bad. And there's no hiding from that. It was bad football. From me."
The Bengals have a few other quarterbacks in the mix: Brett Rypien is on the active 53-man roster, while Mike White and Sean Clifford are on the practice squad. Before Sunday's game, Taylor had expressed "unwavering" trust in Browning. Even after this loss, he didn't completely abandon that view, saying, "I believe Jake can win games for us. I do. We'll just continue to look at everything we can, personnel-wise."
As the team's offensive coordinator and seventh-year head coach, Taylor took some blame for the sluggish offense. This was the third consecutive game where the Bengals managed only three points in the first three quarters, before exploding for 21 in the final frame—though by then, the Lions had built a commanding 28-3 lead.
Chase had a solid outing with six receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and Tee Higgins added a late score as well. When asked at his locker if getting the offense rolling sooner meant throwing more to him and Higgins, Chase noted that they've been trying that approach. "We've been doing that," he said. "I just think it's a tough task when everybody knows what we're doing. Maybe we've got to work hard to get the ball to us, and we've got to work harder as a unit to make it look easier for Jake."
While Chase and Higgins chatted with reporters, Browning sat alone at his locker, slumped over in his chair—the only one occupied in that section. "I don't care if every person on the team says they need to play better," he insisted. "It starts with me playing better at the quarterback position."
But here's where it gets controversial... Is Taylor right to keep the door open for Browning, or should he pull the plug sooner to avoid more losses? Some fans argue that loyalty to a backup who's struggled before might be costing the team playoff hopes, while others say giving him time to adjust could pay off big. And this is the part most people miss: Browning's late-game heroics show he has the talent, but consistency is key—could better protection or play-calling unlock his potential?
What do you think? Should the Bengals stick with Browning, or is it time for a change? Do you agree that the offense's issues start at QB, or is the whole unit to blame? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's debate!
