Bengals' frugal re-signing of key backup looks even better following latest ranking
The 2023 NFL season showed just how much backup quarterbacks should be valued. Half of the league's starting QBs went down with significant injuries, including the Cincinnati Bengals' own Joe Burrow. Not long after Burrow went down, everyone learned in real time just how capable his backup, Jake Browning, really was. Browning's now starting to see […]
The 2023 NFL season showed just how much backup quarterbacks should be valued.
Half of the league's starting QBs went down with significant injuries, including the Cincinnati Bengals' own Joe Burrow.
Not long after Burrow went down, everyone learned in real time just how capable his backup, Jake Browning, really was. Browning's now starting to see the respect he's earned.
Browning came in as the top-ranked backup quarterback in Gilberto Manzano's rankings for Sports Illustrated. Gardner Minshew II and Joe Flacco, two players with more experience in the role, came in right behind Browning at 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Minshew and Flacco are quality backups, but what Browning did more recently in the role has made an impression across the NFL world. Exceeding expectations by such a large degree has elevated Browning into a high standing for his role.
"Many assumed Cincinnati would falter from the playoff race after Joe Burrow sustained a season-ending wrist injury with seven games left on the schedule. But the Bengals remained in playoff contention through Week 18 because of Browning’s sensational performances, including a three-game winning streak. He didn’t just keep the team afloat, he elevated the offense by averaging 276.5 passing yards and completing 70.37% of his passes in his seven starts. He outdueled Trevor Lawrence on Monday Night Football with 354 passing yards and one touchdown." – Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano
Cincinnati rewarded Browning with a two-year contract this offseason worth $1,945,000 instead of forcing him to sign a one-year exclusive rights tender. Adding the extra year into the deal was a gesture of good faith, but compared to other backup quarterbacks in the league, Browning looks very underpaid compared to peers he's ranked above.
Minshew himself is earning $12.5 million per year over the next two seasons. Tyrod Taylor will make $6 million per year during the same timeframe, which is also the same as Marcus Mariota will make this year. Drew Lock and Jarrett Stidham are in the $5 million tier.
The difference between most of those names and Browning is most of them at least have a chance to start for their teams this season without having to wait for an injury. There is no competition for Browning to win when he's on the same team as Burrow.
Regardless, Browning's just as capable (if not more capable) of winning games as all of them if needed. It's why the Bengals wanted him to stick around. Now they have him for a very cheap price tag.
Brian Callahan reveals why the Cincinnati Bengals first signed Jake Browning when they did
It was not so much of a coincidence why Browning joined the Bengals when he did.
