Should the Bengals Look into a Veteran QB Trade?
Even after the Cincinnati Bengals had their first 2-0 start under Zac Taylor, the Bengals' hopes of a playoff berth seem to be dwindling. Joe Burrow went down late in the second quarter after an Arik Armstead sack, sending him to the medical tent and back to the locker room. Burrow wouldn’t return to the game, leaving Jake Browning to lead the Bengals to a 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Browning passed for two touchdowns and ran in the go-ahead game winner, but also threw for three interceptions, leaving Bengals fans wondering if they should hit the market for a new quarterback to keep the season alive.
The two leading candidates are New York Giants third-string quarterback Jameis Winston and Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. Both quarterbacks can only be acquired through trade, which raises some questions for the Bengals' front office about whether they are willing to give up assets. Cousins is under a four-year $180 million deal, something that Mike Brown is likely not to pay in full. A deal with the Falcons' front office would have to be made for that to be possible. Winston signed a two-year, eight-million-dollar deal with the Giants to be their third-string quarterback. Winston makes more sense from a money standpoint, being able to fit in better with the Bengals' current cap situation.
Both quarterbacks have more experience than Browning as a starting quarterback, and with the Bengals' weapons on offense, they can thrive. Winston has come in mid-season for the New Orleans Saints and the Cleveland Browns, contributing to wins right away. Cousins is itching for another opportunity to play, as he was benched for Michael Penix Jr. last season and hasn’t started a game since. The Bengals have also been reported to look at the availability of the Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis, who went 2-0 as a starter last season. As for the incumbent, Browning started seven games for the Bengals when Burrow suffered a season-ending hand injury, winning four games, averaging almost 267 yards per game. The Bengals have a decision to make, as they sit at 2-0, being the only undefeated team left in the AFC North. Cincinnati can remain competitive with the right guy playing quarterback. If the Bengals decide that guy is Winston, Cousins, or Browning, we will find out soon enough.
