The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off their third straight loss, and their third straight loss in blowout fashion. The Detroit Lions defeated Cincinnati 37-24, and the game was far more lopsided than the 13-point difference would indicate.
In light of three more Jake Browning interceptions, head coach Zac Taylor hinted at a quarterback change, saying the team is examining all options under center. With that in mind, these signal-callers would make the most sense for the Bengals to pursue.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
Garoppolo can say something that not many backups in the NFL can - he started in a Super Bowl. And while that was in an offense far more effective at scheming players open, he could come in and be a good distributor to the Bengals' stars the same way that he was in San Francisco with the 49ers.
Teddy Bridgewater, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bridgewater has proven to be a reliable bridge quarterback with several teams across the league. He went 5-0 as a starter with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 when Drew Brees went down with an injury, and he appeared in five games in 2022 for the Miami Dolphins when Tua Tagovailoa was gone. With the weapons the Bengals have, all they need at quarterback is competency, which Bridgewater would provide.
Russell Wilson/Jameis Winston, New York Giants
Let's get the couple obvious ones out of the way. Both Russ and Jameis would be significant upgrades over anything that Browning has put on display, and you can at least rely on both testing defenses downfield. Neither are expensive and would be worth a trade if the Giants are willing to listen.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Money will almost certainly prevent this from happening, but it's worth at least calling the Falcons and seeing if anything can be worked out.
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
A potential homecoming? It depends on if Dalton would be able to overlook how his tenure with the Bengals ended, but a chance to start games might mend those wounds.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Perhaps a wild card that no one is talking about, Richardson would be an interesting name to consider. Yes, he's wildly sporadic with his accuracy, but he's also insanely athletic and would bring a mobility aspect to his game no one else would. Don't ask him to do too much, just get him to find Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins on 85 percent of his dropbacks, and if nothing is there, run.
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