The unwavering belief of Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor in the ability of backup quarterback Jake Browning is starting to give way following Sunday’s double-digit loss to the Detroit Lions. Browning threw for 251 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in Cincinnati’s 37-24 loss to the Lions in front of 66,115 fans at Paycor Stadium.
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Browning made his third conservative start in Week 5 as Joe Burrow remains on injured reserve for a toe injury that required surgery. All three starts for Browning have been losses.
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Following Sunday’s defeat, head coach Zac Taylor admitted in his news conference that it was a possibility the Bengals would look to make a change at quarterback before their Week 6 contest against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
“After a game like that, we’re going to look at all personnel to make sure we’re doing the right thing,” Taylor said of evaluating the quarterback position. “So I won’t shy away from that, because it’s a very fair question after the amount of turnovers we’ve had, but to say that I don’t think Jake can win games for us. I believe Jake can win games, and we’ll just continue to look at everything we can personel wise.”
Taylor said he still has belief in Browning if Cincinnati keeps him as the starter. Browning has thrown for six touchdowns and eight interceptions since taking over for Burrow.
Taylor’s comments sound much different than the tone he took at Wednesday’s news conference when he told the media he was “unwavering” in his confidence for Browning.
“I’ve got a ton of confidence in Jake,” Taylor said. “I’m unwavering in that. I’ve seen the best of Jake. I know we can do a great job supporting him to where he can go win games for us. I feel extremely confident in Jake Browning.”
Brett Rypien, who has made four starts in his five-year NFL career, is the only other quarterback on the 53-man roster for the Bengals. He’s thrown for 950 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The three-game losing streak could snowball if the Bengals don’t make a change soon. Following Week 6, Cincinnati will host Aaron Rodgers and the 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7.
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