The Cincinnati Bengals opened this season with Super Bowl aspirations, and things looked promising after a 2-0 start to the season. However, things took a turn for the worse when star quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a turf toe injury that will keep him out for a minimum of three months.
Backup quarterback Jake Browning has stepped in to fill Burrow’s shoes, but things are going disastrously. The Bengals have lost back-to-back games heading into Sunday’s contest against the Detroit Lions, and Browning has struggled to get much of anything going.
Now, the Bengals are making a shocking decision at the position amidst Browning’s struggles, according to one prominent league insider.
“Despite two rough weeks following Joe Burrow’s injury, the #Bengals still intend to move forward with Jake Browning. They believe he’s their best option and have seen him do it,” [reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.](https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1974778319423025528)
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Imagine thinking terrible Browning is your best option when Jameis Winston is available lol,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s tough to come in and take over a new offense. I know Baker Mayfield got a win for the Rams basically coming off the plane, but I doubt this team could pull that off. Hope Browning gets it together, or at least we should be getting a high draft pick,” someone else added.
“Better let Chase and Higgins know that the Bengals have given up on the season. Wouldn’t want them getting injured playing to win,” another player added.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Bengals can turn things around with Browning at the helm.