As training camp nears for the Cincinnati Bengals, we're going to take a look at the most intriguing positional battles all over the roster. Whether they're at the top or near the bottom of the depth chart, jobs will be on the line starting this month.

No person has more job security in the entire city of Cincinnati than Joe Burrow. The Bengals' quarterback will be throwing passes in Paycor Stadium for many years to come. The guy who sits beside him on the sidelines, however, is yet to be decided.

There are two candidates for this job, and it will likely stay at two throughout camp and preseason action. With luck, the preseason is the only time either one will see extensive snaps this year.

Bengals Backup QB Competitors

Jake Browning

The guy who’s been here since 2021 might have the inside track because of his experience in the system. Browning impressed during last year’s preseason slate and gave Brandon Allen a run for his money. Allen ultimately won out due to experience, but Browning did enough to stick around until the very end and earn a practice squad spot. 

A former undrafted free agent out of Washington, Browning brings athleticism that Allen never quite had, and an arm that can push the ball further down the field in comparison as well. 

He's stuck around for this long in hopes to earn this opportunity. It's a good thing he's had productive preseasons in the past.

Trevor Siemian

Browning’s competition will be Siemian, who signed a one-year deal two months ago to prolong his career as a dependable backup. It’s been years since Siemian was the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback following the Peyton Manning days, but his experience working with Brian Callahan, who was his QB coach in Denver, gives him an edge of his own.

"It's good for him," Taylor said of his new backup quarterback getting reps. "He's heard these types of play calls, he's run these routes before. You know, it's just putting it all together with how we say it and with the personnel that we have, I think is really the adjustment that I think he's fit in really well and doing a good job, getting in there and getting reps. It comes to him very quickly. Again, it's just more of a terminology aspect and just getting used to the personnel that we have."

Siemian is an ideal competitor for Browning because of their similar play styles. Both tend to throw well on the move and aren't statues in the pocket. That comes in handy when reserve offensive linemen are taking all the reps in August. Siemian has the veteran edge over Browning, but his late arrival to the system right before OTAs adds an interesting wrinkle to the battle.  

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The role of Burrow's backup has been held by Allen for three years, and he was never truly in any danger of losing the job once he got it. Now that he's gone west for the San Francisco 49ers, the Bengals will have a real decision to make in the next month. 

It's not important, until it becomes important. This should be one of the closest battles we'll see all Summer.

Bengals going through changes at important backup position

It’s what the offseason’s all about.

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