The Cincinnati Bengals received some bad news about quarterback Joe Burrow, who faces surgery after suffering a turf toe injury on Sunday, Sept. 14, en route to a 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Burrow left the game because of the injury. Now, Burrow will undergo surgery on his injured foot and be out for up to three months. That means the Bengals will need to shore up their quarterback situation, hopefully with a veteran who can come in and lead the team.
Jake Browning came on in relief and did a solid job for Cincinnati. Still, who’s out there on the quarterback market that might join the Bengals?
Joe Flacco
Flacco started for the Browns on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, a team he led to a Super Bowl championship. After the game, Flacco had a sweet moment with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on the field.
Lamar Jackson and Joe Flacco 💜🧡
📸: @Ravens pic.twitter.com/7bpthtP79d
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 14, 2025
In the Ravens’ 41-17 win over the Browns, Flacco was 25-of-45 passing for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Rookie Dillon Gabriel came on late in relief of Flacco.
What makes Flacco important as a possible Burrow replacement? His deep knowledge of playing quarterback in the NFL, while also leading a team into the NFL playoffs, puts him on the board. This is Flacco’s second stint with the Browns after playing for the Ravens, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Indianapolis Colts.
In his 18-year NFL career, Flacco has thrown 259 touchdown passes and 165 interceptions. He’s known to be pretty stable in the pocket when he has a solid offensive line. Because the Browns have depth at QB with Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Tyler Huntley on board, it might make Flacco available for the right price.
Jameis Winston
Right now, Winston is backing up Russell Wilson for the New York Giants. Yet, much like Flacco, Winston does have previous NFL experience.
He played five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and four with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Browns. Now, he’s with the Giants. Should Cincinnati take a flyer on Winston, it, too, might have to come at some type of price.
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett is backing up Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray right now, but Brissett has a ton of NFL experience. Brissett has had two stints with the New England Patriots while also playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Browns, and Washington Commanders.
When the Commanders benched Sam Howell against the Rams back in 2023, Jacoby Brissett came in and almost led a 21-pt 4th quarter comeback entirely off of attacking Derion Kendrick. pic.twitter.com/cLiB3W6u28
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) August 27, 2025
He has seen plenty of NFL defensive schemes that gives him a bird’s-eye view when in the pocket. Brissett can deliver for Cincinnati if they make a deal for him.
Zach Wilson
Wilson is currently on the Miami Dolphins roster with Tua Tagovailoa is the Miami starter. Wilson was heralded as the starter for the future with the New York Jets, but his time with the team didn’t result in him being trusted as QB1. He didn’t play in the NFL in the 2024 season, but he’s back in the league now.
Cooper Rush
Rush, who backed up Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott for some time, is now the backup for the Ravens behind Jackson.
He played for the Cowboys between 2017-19 and from 2021-24. Rush’s time with Dallas was scrutinized a lot. He’s definitely not in the ballpark with established previous NFL starters, but he also has been on the field in clutch moments. Rush can be a suitable replacement for a period of time.
Carson Wentz
Wentz has a ton of NFL experience and sits as a backup for Minnesota Vikings starting QB J.J. McCarthy. While Wentz is an option, he might not be free because the Vikings might want him out there after McCarthy’s porous performance against the Atlanta Falcons on “Sunday Night Football” on Sept. 14.
News, though, broke on Monday that McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in the 22-6 loss, which would push Wentz into a starting role.
Another QB injury: #Vikings QB JJ McCarthy has an ankle injury and is likely OUT for Sunday vs. the #Bengals.
Carson Wentz would start. pic.twitter.com/EIpGXlt0gq
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2025
Wentz is a former starting QB with the Philadelphia Eagles, while also playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Commanders, and Los Angeles Rams. Minnesota might let him go if the price is right. Yet the Vikings just might keep him on the team as a quick go-to answer for McCarthy’s bad play.
Mason Rudolph
Rudolph is currently backing up Pittsburgh Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers. Due to Rodgers being injury-prone in his career, shipping Rudolph over to the Bengals, a fellow AFC team, might not work out too well for the Steelers.
It will take a chunk of either draft picks or an additional player to pull Rudolph away at this time. Rudolph played for the Steelers between 2019-21 and again in 2023. He spent last season with the Tennessee Titans.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew has seen his stock go up in recent seasons. Right now, he’s backing up Kansas City Chiefs starter Patrick Mahomes.
Minshew saw time on the field playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Eagles, Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders. If Cincinnati wants a guy who, again, knows the NFL systems, then Minshew could be a suitable replacement for Burrow.
Josh Johnson
Johnson has been everywhere in the NFL in his career. His suitcase has tags from teams all across the league. At this time, Johnson is backing up Commanders starter Jayden Daniels in his second stint with the team.
Josh Johnson is the ultimate NFL journeyman. pic.twitter.com/1A6ibrMDIn
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) August 5, 2025
The Commanders have been rebuilding their lineup under new head coach Dan Quinn. Again, if Cincinnati wants Johnson on board, they’ll have to cough up a draft pick or two.
Johnson’s resume includes stops with the Buccaneers, Browns, Bengals, Jets, Houston Texans, Ravens (twice), Raiders, Commanders, and San Francisco 49ers. Johnson also played one season in the Alliance of American Football and one season in the XFL.
Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being out of the NFL for a bit. But he’s also got quite a resume when it comes to NFL teams.
Bridgewater has played for the Vikings, Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Dolphins, and Detroit Lions. He had retired from the NFL and wasn’t looking to get back into the league until some off-field events led him back.
He does have a veteran touch about himself. The Bengals really need someone who has been around the league and knows an offensive playbook from the inside out. Bridgewater can serve either as a starter or trusted backup for Cincinnati.
