Second Chance: Will the Bengals Veteran’s Uncertain Status Force Another Switch?
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco ignited the dying fire in the Cincinnati Bengals’ eyes since his trade from their AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns. However, after Cincinnati’s matchup against the New York Jets, Flacco suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, which may impact his ability to play in Week Nine’s game against the Chicago Bears. If Flacco is unable to perform, backup quarterback Jake Browning would have to step up for the second time this season; Sean Clifford is also on the Bengals’ practice squad. Due to the uncertain nature of the veteran’s status, it leaves an opening for Browning to have his second chance at leading Cincinnati to victory.
Head coach Zac Taylor informed the press on Wednesday that Flacco would be sitting out of practice and monitoring his recovery to determine if he is ready to play on Sunday; however, that probability is only at 50-50. Even if the veteran is unable to practice this week, if he feels well enough to go on, he is open to starting on Sunday. Taylor noted that the veteran’s previous success, starting on just three days of practice after his initial trade, makes playing with minimal reps a realistic possibility.
This is not an easy decision between two healthy options, but regardless, a high-risk gamble either way. The acquisition of the veteran was a direct response to Browning’s struggles; in the three games Browning started, Cincinnati’s offense averaged just 12.3 points and 217.3 total yards per game. Furthermore, the Bengals’ matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week Three marked a worst-in-franchise-history performance under Browning’s leadership. Taylor is once again in the hot seat, faced with a difficult decision: do they risk playing an injured, yet more productive veteran who could further compromise his throwing shoulder, or do they hand back the reins to the younger, fully healthy player whose previous performances led to the trade in the first place? For the former backup, this represents a critical “second chance” to prove he can operate a winning NFL offense, a chance that had seemingly passed three weeks prior.
The quarterback decision carries significant strategic weight for the upcoming Week Nine game, as fans and his team can only surmise that if Flacco is put back in before he is fully healed, it could risk his performance for the rest of the season. However, if the reins are placed back into Jake Browning’s hands, will they risk another disastrous game, or with time will he come back stronger and more composed? Ultimately, the choice comes down to which quarterback gives the Bengals the best chance to score a much-needed victory and keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive. The stakes heading into Sunday are high; a loss will more than likely sink Cincinnati’s season, while a victory could be the last grasp of air for a team desperately trying to prove its worth without its star quarterback.
