JAKE BROWNING dropped the ball in his first start of the season – but there’s no sign of the Bengals eyeing a veteran quarterback.

Browning, 29, got the start on Sunday after star QB Joe Burrow underwent surgery on turf toe.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) looks downfield during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings.
Bengals quarterback Jake Browning failed to shine against the Minnesota VikingsCredit: Reuters

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Austin Keys (56) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6).
Joe Burrow’s replacement threw just one touchdown in the 48-10 lossCredit: Reuters
Burrow is expected to miss most of the regular season, with Browning stepping up in his absence.

But the former Viking failed to shine as his former team dominated the contest at US Bank Stadium.

Browning was under pressure throughout the game from a relentless pass rush.

And his offensive line failed to protect their QB in a messy performance.

Browning went 19-for-27 for 140 passing yards and a touchdown.

He threw two interceptions and was sacked three times as the Vikings powered their way to a 48-10 victory.

The Bengals reportedly made no calls to veteran trade candidates this past week, per the NFL Network.

And ESPN insider Adam Schefter believes the organization will “stick with Browning”.

“The Bengals plan to stick with Jake Browning and not trade for another veteran QB,” Schefter wrote on X.

“During the seven games that he replaced Joe Burrow in 2023, Browning’s 70.4 percent completion percentage led the NFL,” he added.
Why Lamar Jackson’s football IQ is key to defeating Detroit Lions
Schefter’s colleague Dan Graziano believes the Bengals should be targeting Kirk Cousins.

Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 but has since lost the starting job to Michael Penix Jr.

“It never hurts to ask, right?” Graziano argued.

“Cousins wants out of Atlanta, where he signed a four-year contract in the spring of 2024 but was relegated to backup duty by the end of his first season there.

“I think the Falcons would take the call, but I still think it would cost a lot to pry Cousins out of there.”

“I’m not sure they see the 2025 version of Cousins as a marked improvement over Browning, given their familiarity with Browning.

“But if they’re still holding onto hope that Joe Burrow can come back toward the end of the season, and the mission is to keep things afloat until that happens, Browning must look a lot better than he did Sunday.

“Or else the Bengals will have to look at other options.”