The Cincinnati Bengals entered the year as a potential playoff team, with one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. However, when Joe Burrow went down in their week two game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a turf toe injury that would require surgery, their outlook for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season became much murkier.
With Burrow expected to be sidelined for at least three months after the surgery, Jake Browning is the next man up for the Bengals at the quarterback position. However, after a lackluster first outing under center, many have questioned whether the team will acquire a potential new starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
Could the Cincinnati Bengals be in the Quarterback Market?
After going 4-3 in 2023 while filling in for an injured Burrow, Browning gave many the confidence that he could fill in for Burrow again.
However, his season has gotten off to a rough start in 2025, as the team is 0-1 with him as the starter. In two games played this season, Browning has completed 67.8% of his passes for 381 yards, three touchdowns, and a league-leading five interceptions.
“They need to call somebody… either they have to make a move or the 2025 season is lost,” said lead NFL Insider for the NFL on CBS, Jonathan Jones.
“They need to call somebody … either they have to make a move or the 2025 season is lost.”@jjones9 says the Bengals NEED to make a move at QB pic.twitter.com/dIo30loF1u
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 22, 2025
Brett Rypien is currently Browning’s backup, while the team has also signed Sean Clifford and Mike White to its practice squad. However, if the Bengals determine that Browning is not the best option to win this season, their best option is likely not on the current roster.
Kirk Cousins and Jameis Winston are the team’s potential trade targets, while Russell Wilson, Malik Willis, and Jimmy Garoppolo are veteran options with starting experience who, while less likely, could become available come the NFL Trade Deadline. However, more than others, one of those names has drawn significant attention to the rumor mill.
Could Kirk Cousins Be the Answer at Quarterback for the Bengals?
“There is a path to acquiring Kirk Cousins,” Jones added. “The Atlanta Falcons have been willing to part with him so long as you give them a draft pick and/or Kirk Cousins buys his way out of Atlanta; he pays back some of that salary to help facilitate that deal.”
Cousins is a 14-year NFL veteran who has made four Pro Bowls in his NFL career. He was not long ago viewed as a starting quarterback in the NFL, as he signed a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency in 2024.
However, Cousins was benched after leading the Falcons to a 7-7 record through 14 games of the 2024 season due to poor play, highlighted by his league-leading 16 interceptions.
While 2024 was the worst season of Cousins’ career, he was in his first season back from a torn Achilles, which could have heavily impacted his play. Now, another year entirely removed from that injury, if given the opportunity, Cousins could prove that he still has good football left in his 37-year-old arm.
Cousins has led some high-powered offenses in Washington and Minnesota, and playing with dynamic playmakers such as Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown could benefit both him and the Bengals.
It remains to be seen what the draft compensation would look like to acquire Cousins or if he would waive some of his salary to help facilitate a trade. However, a move makes sense for all parties involved, and there is precedent for players to take a pay cut to revitalize their careers, potentially, so this will be a situation worth monitoring as the NFL Trade Deadline approaches.
