The Bengals were devastated when star quarterback Joe Burrow went down with an injury in week 11 against the Ravens.
But Jake Browning stepped into the breach and showed he is more than capable of mixing it up with the big boys.
Despite losing Burrow for seven games the Bengals finished with a 9-8 winning season.
“I’ve established that I’m capable of being a starter in the NFL,” Browning said. “I’m one of the Top 32 quarterbacks in the world and just happen to be on a roster with a guy who’s proven he’s a Top 5 quarterback in the world.”
Browning is an exclusive-rights free agent in 2024 and could be forced to stay in Cincinnati on the league minimum as Burrow will definitely start when fit.
He could be traded but the Bengals will believe he can unlock NFL defenses, if not in the same capacity as Burrow, then neatly enough.
“What that looks like going forward I have no idea, nor do I have any control,” Browning said.
Whether he gets to sound out the top 32 theory next season is debatable but at least he knows he is capable.
