Bengals To Release QB Josh Johnson

Johnson, 40, is the NFL’s preeminent journeyman quarterback. He has been a member of 14 different teams with regular-season playing time for seven. In the last two seasons, he has served as the third-string quarterback for the Ravens (2024, six appearances) and the Commanders (2025, five appearances, two starts).

This offseason, Johnson signed with the Bengals for his third stint in Cincinnati following a two regular-season appearances in 2013 and most of the 2025 offseason. During training camp, he was competing with Packers 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford for the third-string quarterback job behind Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco. 

Johnson quietly had a productive preseason, ranking fifth in the league with 396 passing yards and throwing two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Clifford saw significantly less volume but put up similar marks in yards per attempt and passer rating.

Clifford has yet to be released, leaving open the possibility that he makes the 53-man roster, but Johnson’s amount of playing time suggests that he will be Cincinnati’s QB3 to open the regular season. As a vested veteran, he is not subject to waivers and could immediately sign with another team. More likely, he will sign with the Bengals’ practice squad on Monday.