Two consecutive years without making the playoffs meant the Cincinnati Bengals were entering the 2025 season with their backs already against the wall. It led to some dramatic changes for the franchise, with HC Zac Taylor altering his policy for the team’s approach to the preseason slate.
It worked in some respects, with the Bengals starting 2-0 for the first time under this quarterback-head coach combo. Unfortunately, that same combo will not take the field for the Bengals as they face off against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
With Joe Burrow ruled out for the foreseeable future, Jake Browning is expected to be the starter in Cincinnati for the majority of the season. Despite an excellent job in his elevation in Week 2, why is Browning standing behind center instead of Burrow?
How Did Jake Browning Replace Joe Burrow as the Starter?
An undrafted free agent from the 2019 draft class, Browning started his career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he phased in and out of their practice squad for three consecutive seasons. That trend continued with the Bengals in 2021 and 2022.
However, a season-ending injury to Burrow’s right wrist meant that the team had to call upon his backup to handle the starting role for the majority of the 2023 season. For the most part, Browning held his own in that timeframe.
Throwing for close to 1,900 yards in seven starts, he recorded 12 touchdowns and had a passer rating of 98.4. As a result, he carved out a role for himself as the permanent backup in Cincinnati, signing a two-year deal in the 2024 offseason.
This year, he’s getting a similar opportunity. In Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Burrow went down hard and was diagnosed with a Grade-3 turf toe injury. That signalled doom for the fan base, with surgery and a three-month return timetable on the cards.
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However, for one game at least, Browning gave fans some hope, completing 21 of his 32 passing attempts to record 241 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions while adding a game-winning one-yard rushing touchdown.
Jake Browning SZN#Bengalspic.twitter.com/IGCVmzVbMY
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) September 21, 2025
As NFL insider Ian Rapoport clarified, Burrow underwent surgery on Friday, with a minimum of 12 weeks needed for him to return. However, the NFL insider also believed, “If history is any indicator, Cincy will be just fine with Browning under center.”
Pointing to his 4-3 record in 2023, the hope for the Bengals has to be that a 2-0 cushion and continuation of what they’ve seen from their backup quarterback so far can be enough to keep them afloat in the AFC.
Browning’s first official start of the 2025 season kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on local CBS stations against a Minnesota Vikings also starting a backup in Carson Wentz.
