Two awful offensive games with Jake Browning starting for an injured Joe Burrow that pushed the Cincinnati Bengals from 2-0 to 2-2 should be more than enough to make them want to make a big change.
Although there's been speculation on which QB the Bengals could acquire for an upgrade over their struggling backup, there's one that makes perfect sense: Russell Wilson.
Wilson was born almost 37 years ago in Cincinnati. In the wake of his disappointing post-Seahawks whirlwind that's seen him disappoint with the Broncos, Steelers and Giants over four seasons, Wilson needs one last shot at some late-career redemption.
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His time in New York as a starter lasted only three games, with rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart slated to be the No. 1 QB the rest of the 2025 NFL season. The Giants also happen to have another veteran backup with ideal makeup, Jameis Winston.
There's no reason for Giants to keep Wilson. The Bengals have every reason to go hard after Wilson now and not Winston or Kirk Cousins or any other QB. There will be no need to give up much in the way of draft capital and Wilson also is making only $10.5 million this season.
Will Russell Wilson improve the Cincinnati Bengals' offense?
Why Wilson, besides the reasonable cost to take a shot an improving a dire quarterback situation? The Bengals have $276 million in total contract value invested in their talented top wide receiver duo, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase and Higgins have been frustrated and turned into low-level producers with Browning not playing the supersub he was in 2022.
The Bengals need a QB who will get those receivers the ball and get the offense back to stretching the field. With their lingering pass protection issues, they also could benefit from a more mobile passer known for extending plays to hit on deep balls.
Before Wilson was benched after a bad Week 3 vs. the Chiefs' tough defense, he lit up the Cowboys' weak pass defense for 450 yards, getting big days out of two receivers, Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. That should be evidence enough that Wilson can still provide a spark if there's some support around him.
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He no longer is capable of carrying passing games like he did in his early Seattle prime, before he had receivers the caliber of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. However, Wilson can be lifted by the play of Chase and Higgins and the duo's immense versatile route-running and big-play talent.
Browning did draw two tough pressure defenses on the road in his first two fill-in starts, at Minnesota and at Denver. But despite the degree of difficult, an offense with that much skill and the receiver position shouldn't disappear. Browning has worsened an already deflating situation.
The Bengals, 2-2 with Burrow out until at least mid December, still can rally, but they need someone who has the potential to help them win some shootouts. With Browning, they have no shot of scoring enough to upset the Detroit Lions in Week 5. Then it's back to another defensive challenge on the road against the Packers in Green Bay.
What do the Bengals have to lose by rolling the dice on Wilson?
Browning has proved he won't help the Bengals win as much as they need to without Burrow. Wilson at the very worst would make them fun to watch and not waste another year of Chase and Higgins' well-paid prime.
The results of the upcoming Lions and Packers games aside, who wouldn't want to see Wilson in a revenge prime-time game vs. Aaron Rodgers and the AFC North-leading 3-1 Steelers at home on a Thursday night?
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Browning vs. the Steelers? You already know what will happen with the overwhelmed backup facing a T.J. Watt-led pass rush that just posted six sacks in Week 4.
The Bengals should be willing to get Wilson and the Giants should want to deal him or something. Otherwise, it's a waste for him and Cincinnati.