Stats show why Bengals trust Jake Browning to replace injured Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow needs surgery on an injured toe and is set to miss at least three months. Cincinnati's addition of Mike White and Sean Clifford to their quarterback room on Tuesday suggests the club is serious about having Jake Browning serve as its temporary starter while Burrow is out.

Browning is no stranger to the Bengals' offense, having gone 4-3 as a starter when Burrow was hurt during the 2023 season. ESPN's Seth Walder shared additional stats that may show why Cincinnati isn't looking for a QB1 with a healthy Browning atop their depth chart. 

How Jake Browning performed as a Joe Burrow replacement

"Browning had 283 dropbacks in seven starts and would have ranked 13th in QBR (60.8) and fifth in completion percentage over expectation (plus-3%) had he seen enough snaps to qualify," Walder wrote about Browning's play during the 2023 campaign. "Of course, Browning is not without red flags. His performance in 2023 came with a low 6.1 air yards per attempt that would have ranked last among qualifying quarterbacks. He also took sacks at a high 9% rate."

Browning filled in for Burrow against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2 and guided the Bengals to a come-from-behind 31-27 win that improved them to 2-0 on the season. While Browning tossed three interceptions, he also tallied a pair of passing touchdowns and a late rushing score. In total, he completed 21 of 32 passes (65.6%) for 241 yards versus Jacksonville.

Where Bengals offense may be better with Jake Browning in the lineup

There's no sign the Bengals explored acquiring Atlanta Falcons backup Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston of the New York Giants or retired signal-caller Derek Carr before Cincinnati decided to sign Clifford and White to its practice squad. Perhaps the Bengals have reason to believe Browning will stay healthy through the fall. 

"Though the Bengals' offensive line has been consistently poor in pass block win rate during Burrow's tenure, it has fared much better blocking for Browning (60% vs. 49% with Burrow from 2023 to 2025)," Walder added. "Is Browning (or Burrow) contributing to that discrepancy in some way? I don't know, but it's at least possible."

As of late Tuesday morning, ESPN Bet had the Browning-led Bengals as 2.5-point road underdogs for Sunday's matchup at the 1-1 Minnesota Vikings, who are on track to start backup quarterback Carson Wentz due to an injury to J.J. McCarthy.