Bengals Depth Chart Preview: Joe Burrow has never had this kind of backup support at quarterback before
The Cincinnati Bengals have the best depth at quarterback they’ve ever had with Joe Burrow as the starter. Let’s go through the room in its entirety.
It’s the absolute dead period of the offseason, and the Cincinnati Bengals are resting up before training camp. We’re going to go through the 90-man roster, position-by-position, breaking down the depth chart.
Up first is the most important position on the roster, featuring the most important player on the roster.
Bengals Quarterback Depth Chart
Starter: Joe Burrow
Backups: Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson, Sean Clifford
The Starter
Joe Burrow is entering his seventh season as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback. It’s a bit crazy to read that sentence out loud, but yeah, it’s already been that long. No controversy here. Just the Bengals trying to get over the hump with their face of the franchise still in his prime years. He’s certainly bringing the urgency to make it happen this season.
The Backup
Joe Flacco was re-signed on a one-year, $6 million deal to back up Burrow for the 2026 season. Cincinnati notably traded for Flacco during the 2025 season three weeks after Burrow suffered his turf toe injury. The former first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens instantly fit in the offense and produced at a quality level despite only winning one of six starts.
Story to watch
Burrow’s backup for the last three years was Jake Browning. Flacco effectively took that job for himself after Browning failed to stabilize the offense with Burrow out last year. Flacco is certainly getting paid handsomely for his role, and that tells us everything we need to know about what the room should look like when the season starts.
Josh Johnson was actually signed to the roster prior to Flacco’s re-signing. The timing was due to Flacco still surveying his offers from other clubs. Flacco never got a chance to compete for a starting gig this offseason, and his fit in Cincy’s offense made it an easy choice to return.
Johnson is a long-time backup who can still sling it when needed. He will remain with the team throughout the offseason, as will Sean Clifford. This gives the Bengals the best depth behind Burrow he’s ever had in his career. The depth will be cut in half by the time August ends, but it’s a great group on paper.
Projected Players on the 53-man roster
Starter: Joe Burrow
Backup: Joe Flacco