To get a big disclaimer out of the way early, the Cincinnati Bengals don’t figure to make a big move at the quarterback position in the wake of Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury.
Cincinnati has committed to Jake Browning as the backup and starter, so at most, the team could add a player to the practice squad as the emergency third or even let AJ McCarron eventually get a start over Browning.
Still, it’s hard not to look at the list of available quarterbacks — in free agency and on the waiver wire — and wonder, especially because the elephant in the room is this — Cincinnati’s championship window is open and it sure isn’t going to stay that way forever.
So, let’s do some due diligence and look at the best available quarterbacks right now.
Brett Rypien, Seattle Seahawks
Rypien has completed 58.3 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and nine interceptions in the NFL. Unlike most available guys, he’s at least got some NFL starts under his belt for multiple teams, though. He’s currently on Seattle’s practice squad.
Nick Foles
The man best known for that playoff run in Philadelphia appeared in three games last year with the Colts. He’s sounded like a guy who still wants to play at times, but one would think he would’ve been scooped up by now.
Cam Newton
Is he still interested in playing? Newton has made it clear in the past that he would want a sizable contract and role. He last played in 2021, though it’s pretty fun to think how the former No. 1 overall pick and MVP might fit in the offense.
Joe Flacco
As of this writing, Flacco just had a visit with the Browns, a team that just lost starter Deshaun Watson for the year. But he left without a deal, so maybe he likes the outlook on a different Ohio team better? Kidding aside, he started five games last year and has plenty of experience in the AFC North.
Nathan Rourke, Jacksonville Jaguars
More of a third-string and emergency option, we’ve got to point out former Ohio Bobcats quarterback Nathan Rourke, who put in some good time in the CFL before sitting on a practice squad right now.
Longshot: Matt Ryan
Ryan has made it very clear he would be open to coming out of retirement for the right situation. He’s currently sitting in a broadcast booth though and was most recently benched with the Colts, so it’s hard to say if he would have anything left.
Extra, extra longshot: Tom Brady
Because no list about a contending team that just lost a quarterback is complete without him, here’s Tom Brady. At this point, it’s murky if he’s even allowed back again, but just last year he threw 25 scores and nine picks in Tampa Bay and if you’re a former star looking for one more chance at a title, playing with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins has to look pretty appealing.
It would be nice if...
…the trade deadline wasn’t so early or there wasn’t a deadline at all on quarterback moves. It would be good for the league and we’d be having a serious discussion right now about the team going and getting a Ryan Tannehill or other capable starter sitting on a bench.
Conclusion
Realistically, with seven games left, an outside addition isn’t going to get up to speed quickly enough to have a massive impact. At least, presumably. The Bengals really might be better off with in-house guys who know the playbook and have the timing down with the weapons. Still, it’s hard to not look at the list of names and wonder and it’s impossible to blame fans for doing so. This is part of the reason we were so adamant the Bengals were making a mistake by not doing a better job of keeping Brandon Allen this past offseason (or even pulling off a small trade at the deadline to get him back). If there’s a silver lining, standing pat at quarterback, while losing, could create better draft positioning, clarity about the roster and possibly guarantee a fourth-place schedule next year.
