After a third consecutive loss, the Cincinnati Bengals are in a difficult position. With star quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined by injury and his replacement, Jake Browning, struggling to find a win, the team is quickly running out of time to save its season. A subtle roster move, however, suggests that head coach Zac Taylor and the front office may be preparing for a significant change.
What Does Cutting Mike White Signal for the Bengals’ Quarterback Situation?
On Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bengals decided to cut veteran quarterback Mike White from the team’s practice squad ahead of their Week 6 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. The move creates an open spot in the quarterback room, fueling speculation that a larger shake-up could be on the horizon.
Bengals released QB Mike White from their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2025
White’s departure allows Cincinnati to bring in a new quarterback who could, at a minimum, provide some real competition for the starting role during Burrow’s absence.
With Burrow still on injured reserve, dealing with a “turf toe” injury, Browning has held the starting job by default, but his performance has been unconvincing. He averages just 172 passing yards per game through three games while throwing five total interceptions.
As a result, the Bengals currently sit at 2-3 and may need to change quickly to prevent another lost season by the time Burrow returns. The offense has fallen to the 31st-ranked unit in PFSN’s offensive impact metric. According to PFSN’s QB impact metric, Browning is the worst-ranked quarterback in the NFL this season.
While White’s release could be procedural, the timing suggests a potential shake-up. The Bengals may be clearing room for a veteran free agent or preparing to make a move for a trade candidate. Players like Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins have had their names mentioned in rumors since being demoted to backup roles on their respective teams.
However, the offensive issues aren’t all on Browning. The offensive line has been ineffective in pass protection all season, and the run game has stalled without a balanced passing attack. Consequently, the passing game has looked uninspiring. Star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have seen their targets drop sharply, and the team’s yards-per-play has plummeted to one of the lowest marks in the league, on par with the Cleveland Browns.
Cutting White, signed in mid-September to provide depth, indicates the Bengals are not content to let this poor play continue. Whether they are looking at a new veteran addition or simply restructuring their roster, the message is clear: the recent performances are not good enough.
The Bengals have attempted to survive without Burrow in the past, but with the AFC North still up for grabs, the team might be forced into a more aggressive move to salvage its season. This is crucial to maintain their footing in the playoff race. The main question remains: if a change at quarterback is coming, who will it be?