The Cincinnati Bengals saw their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, suffer a season-ending wrist injury. Many thought when Burrow was lost, so was the season. However, that was not the case at all, and they have gone 2-1 since.
With an important matchup against a Minnesota Vikings team in a similar situation on tap, the Bengals will once again look for quality-level quarterback play to help them get the victory and push their record to 8-6 on the year.
Who Is the Starting QB for the Bengals Today?
The Bengals’ starting quarterback for Week 15 is the same one that has been under center since the moment Burrow was removed from the game — Jake Browning. Browning is 2-1 since taking over for Burrow, has played good football for the team, and looks to have won over his teammates in the locker room in the process.
While it is not an endorsement of his on-field play, Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase took the time this week to joke about the difference of personalities between Burrow and Browning and how he has had to adjust with a new QB throwing him the ball.
“Jake’s more playful than Burrow. Jake’s going to smile with you. Joe’s just going to walk past and look at you and keep going. He’s just not going to smile all the time. Joe is just more tunnel vision than Jake. If I can describe the difference, Joe comes to work in a suit and a tie. Jake comes to work in a suit with no tie.”
The Bengals are speaking like a team that is loose and is playing with confidence in their new situation without Burrow, even if a month ago that would’ve been hard to believe.
Rest of the Bengals’ QB Depth Chart
While Browning will be tabbed with his fourth start of the season in Week 15, the team does have a veteran who has been in the NFL for a while behind him ready to go if need be. That veteran is former Alabama Crimson Tide QB A.J. McCarron.
McCarron has only seen one snap all season but is in his seventh year in the NFL and has seen action in 18 career games, as well as four starts, under his belt.
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The feeling is that no matter who came in relief of Burrow, it was going to be a drop off in talent and production, and while that is true for most teams that lose their starter, the proverbial cliff was thought to be season-ending. It has not been for the Bengals thus far, and as they enter Week 15 — everything they want is still in front of them.
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