The Cincinnati Bengals are coming into the 2026 season with a lot of work to do. Almost all eyes are on the defense — as they should be — but the front office does have a decision to make at the quarterback position.
Not for Joe Burrow, obviously, but his backup. They’re letting Jake Browning go after his struggles forced the Bengals to trade for Joe Flacco, and Flacco is now looking for a starting gig.
That means the Bengals, who call upon their backup quarterback with some regularity, are in the market.
One name, thrown out by CBS Sports analyst Zachary Pereles, is Geno Smith.
“Worry not, Bengals fans. Joe Burrow isn’t leaving for another team. But if the past few seasons have shown us anything, it’s that he is a good bet to leave a game or two with injury,” Pereles wrote. “He played in just eight games in 2025 and just 10 in 2023. The Bengals have been unable to tread water without him: 19-16 in Burrow’s starts and 5-11 in games he misses. Much of that is due to the struggling defense, but Jake Browning and Flacco haven’t exactly been the perfect answers after a Burrow injury either.”
Despite Smith’s 2025 season, Pereles pointed out that Smith’s aggressive downfield throwing could be a better fit for the Bengals if they were in need of someone other than Burrow to throw the ball to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Considering Burrow’s injury history and the fact they’ll face off against three premier edge rushers in the division now that Maxx Crosby has joined the Ravens, it would likely be a good idea to make sure someone capable is ready to go were Burrow to go down again. Obviously, with some sort of major injury, the season would be over.
However, if Burrow could benefit from a week off, or if he needs some time to rest a minor injury, having a quarterback who can win those games would be crucial, especially since every game is going to matter.
What would you think?
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