The Cincinnati Bengals have decided not to tender restricted free agent quarterback Jake Browning, according to a source who spoke with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Browning, who appeared in 10 games as a backup over three seasons, will enter free agency, although the Bengals remain open to re-signing him.
Browning’s Role and Performance During Bengals Tenure
Jake Browning, age 29, primarily served as the Bengals’ backup quarterback behind Joe Burrow over the last three seasons. His most significant role came in 2023 when Burrow was sidelined due to injury, and Browning helped guide the team to four wins in seven games. Despite this, his overall performance showed mixed results.
In the 2025 season, when Burrow was out with turf toe, Browning initially stepped in but struggled after an early victory in Week 2. Over the next three weeks, he completed 64.8% of his passes, throwing for 771 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Due to these challenges, the Bengals acquired Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns before Week 6, moving Browning to the third-string quarterback position.
Browning’s Five Seasons with Cincinnati and Future Prospects
Browning’s time with the Bengals spans five seasons. He began on the practice squad and eventually secured a spot on the 53-player roster for three years. While the team has not extended a restricted free agent tender, their openness to bringing Browning back suggests he could continue to have a role in Cincinnati’s quarterback depth chart moving forward.
