Zac Taylor makes big statement about Bengals possibly trading for Jake Browning replacement

Numerous trade rumors linked the Cincinnati Bengals with some big-name quarterbacks immediately after starter Joe Burrow went down with a serious toe injury and before fill-in Jake Browning endured back-to-back rough outings. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor indicated he's prepared to stick with Browning until further notice. 

Do Bengals still have confidence in Jake Browning?

"I've got a ton of confidence in Jake," Taylor insisted, per Ben Baby of ESPN. "I'm unwavering in that. I've seen the best of Jake. I know that we can do a great job supporting him so he can go win games for us."

Questions about Browning's status are fair considering how the Cincinnati offense played in the club's 48-10 Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and in this past Monday's 28-3 defeat against the Denver Broncos. Following Monday's contest, Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase raised eyebrows when he said that "it didn't look like we wanted it." Some understandably wondered if Chase was essentially saying that members of the locker room have already lost faith in Browning. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Browning ranks 31st in the league among qualified quarterbacks with a 67.9 passer rating on the campaign. Over three games, he accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and five total turnovers. 

Zac Taylor not blaming Jake Browning for offensive woes

Analysts, reporters and pockets of Bengals fans have spent the past couple of weeks clamoring for Cincinnati to find an advertised upgrade at the sport's most important position. However, Taylor suggested on Wednesday that everybody involved is to blame for why the Bengals dropped two straight games to fall to 2-2 on the season. 

"First and foremost, as the head coach, it's not a reflection on one player," Taylor added about his offense. "It's on me. I've got to get ourselves in a better position to be able to go."

As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET listed the Bengals as massive 10.5-point underdogs for this coming Sunday's home game against the 3-1 Detroit Lions. If Cincinnati suffers yet another double-digit loss with Browning in the lineup, whispers about the club possibly acquiring a proven commodity who could use a fresh start elsewhere will likely grow louder.