Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor Addresses Calls to Bench QB Jake Browning
The Cincinnati Bengals dropped their third straight game in Week 5, falling 37–24 to the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Jake Browning, who continues to start in place of the injured Joe Burrow, had another tough outing — and head coach Zac Taylor now appears more open to considering a change at quarterback.
Although Browning managed to spark the offense late in the game, he’s struggled to consistently lead drives and has been plagued by turnovers. The Bengals had previously stood by Browning, but Taylor’s postgame comments suggest that the team is now evaluating all their options at the position.
Taylor Hints at Possible QB Change
Joe Burrow has been sidelined since Week 2 with a turf toe injury suffered against the Jaguars — an issue that required surgery and could keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Browning, who started seven games for the team in 2023, had the coaching staff’s confidence heading into his relief stint.
While he led the Bengals to a win over Jacksonville in Week 2, his performances have since declined. The offense scored just 13 combined points across Weeks 3 and 4 against the Vikings and Broncos. In the loss to Detroit, the Bengals managed to score three second-half touchdowns, but they never came close to taking control of the game.
Browning’s final stat line — 26 completions on 40 attempts for 251 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions — tells the story of a QB whose mistakes are stalling the offense. While poor protection from the offensive line has been a factor, Taylor acknowledged for the first time that Browning’s starting role may not be guaranteed moving forward.
“After a game like that, we’re going to evaluate all personnel to make sure we’re making the best decisions,” Taylor said. “It’s a fair question after all the turnovers. But I still believe Jake can win games for us. We’ll keep reviewing everything on the personnel side.”
Looking Ahead to Week 6
Cincinnati’s offense is built around its ability to put up points, something that’s been lacking with Burrow out. Despite having elite weapons like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown, Browning hasn’t been able to capitalize.
With another tough matchup coming against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, the Bengals face a critical decision. If Browning continues to underperform, Taylor may have no choice but to make a switch under center. Whether that change comes before or during the next game remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on how Taylor handles the quarterback situation going forward.
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