The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense has been abysmal since losing franchise quarterback Joe Burrow to a turf toe injury in their Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, disappointed in Week 3 but crumbled in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos.
The Bengals’ offense put up just three points, and neither Ja’Marr Chase nor Tee Higgins recorded more than 35 receiving yards. Browning finished the Monday night clash, completing 14 of his 25 pass attempts for 125 passing yards and no touchdowns.
It’s clear that if the Bengals hope to avoid wasting the 2025 NFL season, a change at QB is necessary.
Could the Bengals’ Season Be Saved by a Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback?
The New York Giants shocked the NFL world in Week 4 when rookie QB Jaxson Dart and company took down the then-unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers, 21-18.
New York was winless up to this point with veteran Russell Wilson as the starter, which led the coaching staff to throw Dart to the wolves against the Chargers. He by no means played a perfect game, but he got the job done with 111 passing yards and two total touchdowns.
With Wilson on the bench, PFSN’s Cameron Sheath predicts he could be traded to the Bengals in the coming weeks, writing, “Joe Burrow‘s turf toe injury put a spear through the team’s hopes of a successful season, with backup Jake Browning floundering in his place. The Bengals have lost two straight games since Burrow’s injury and have looked terrible in both games.”
“Of 37 qualifying quarterbacks, Browning ranks dead last in PFSN’s QB Impact score, having thrown three touchdowns to five interceptions so far this year,” Sheath wrote. “With Burrow set to miss most of the season, Wilson may be the team’s best bet to turn things around and make the playoffs for the first time in three years.”
Wilson had two below-average performances and one standout game in the Giants’ three starts this season. Although it resulted in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the 36-year-old tallied 450 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and an interception.
The Bengals could be tempted to acquire Wilson because of this performance, as Browning is yet to show anywhere near this level of play. He is no longer the level of player he was with the Seattle Seahawks when he won the Super Bowl, but still has the potential to perform at a high level in Cincinnati with premier weapons surrounding him.
