Jake Browning
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The Bengals have non-tendered Jake Browning ahead of free agency, but they are still open to re-signing him
The Cincinnati Bengals, after another disappointing campaign in 2025, have their work cut out for them this offseason. While the Bengals have an immense amount of talent on the offensive side of the ball, the defense needs some help. With the team looking to keep up with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North division, all eyes are going to be on Cincy’s front office to see what moves the team makes.
Assuming all goes according to plan, Joe Burrow will be back under center for Cincinnati next season. As last year showed, though, it’s important to have a proper option available behind Burrow on the depth chart in the event something happens to him. For the past couple of years, Jake Browning has been that guy, but with free agency looming, the Bengals made a big decision on his future with the team.
Bengals Non-Tender Jake Browning, But There’s a Catch
Jeremy Fowler
The Bengals are not tendering RFA quarterback Jake Browning, who started 10 games over three seasons for Cincinnati in relief of Joe Burrow. He will be a free agent. Cincinnati is open to bringing him back.
Browning has been in the NFL since 2019, as he initially broke into the league with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that Browning made his NFL debut, as he was forced to fill in for Burrow late in the season after he suffered a season-ending wrist injury.
While he wasn’t spectacular, Browning held his own under center in 2023, as he completed 70.4% of his passes for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns. When he was called into action in 2025, though, things didn’t go nearly as well. Browning threw for 771 yards and six touchdowns in five games of action last season, but he also threw eight interceptions, which prompted the Bengals to go out and trade for Joe Flacco.
A restricted free agent this offseason, Cincy had a decision to make on Browning. It could tender him, but with the money attached to those tenders increasing, it didn’t make a ton of sense to do that. As a result, the Bengals have non-tendered Browning, but they are still open to re-signing him, even as he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent.
“The Bengals are not tendering RFA quarterback Jake Browning, who started 10 games over three seasons for Cincinnati in relief of Joe Burrow,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported in a post on X. “He will be a free agent. Cincinnati is open to bringing him back.”
Should the Bengals Re-Sign Jake Browning?
Jake Browning Cincinnati Bengals
GettyJake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts against the Denver Broncos.
Browning’s case is a bit curious for the Bengals. Having been with the team since 2021, he obviously has a good grasp of the offense, and while he has been successful in the past, he was awful in 2025. The fact that Browning is set to hit the open market indicates the two sides aren’t on the same page when it comes to a potential contract, so it seems like he’s going to see what options come his way before making a decision.
Cincinnati is also open to re-signing Flacco in free agency, although reports indicate he’d like to land with a team where he will have a shot at competing for the starting job. In a perfect world, the Bengals would probably like to have one of Flacco or Browning backing up Burrow in 2026, but depending on how things shake out, they could have to look for a new backup quarterback this offseason.