Zac Taylor Sheds Light on Bengals Backup QB Competition, Possibility of Adding Veteran

"The race is not over yet."

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Aug 22, 2023 8:54 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — Who will be the Bengals backup quarterback?

Jake Browning may have the edge after completing 16-of-22 passes against the Falcons, but the team is going to wait and see how both quarterbacks perform on Saturday in Washington.

Trevor Siemian went 7-of-14 in Atlanta. He may have to rally to win the job.

"That race is not over yet. We’ve talked to both those guys," head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday. "We’ll keep that in-house where it stands today and let them get through this game. That decision has not been made." But we’ve got three days of work left this week and then we got a game and then we have to make that decision."

Some have mentioned the possibility of going outside the building for Joe Burrow's backup. Browning may have the lead, but neither guy has ran away with the job. Would they consider adding a quarterback this close to the start of the regular season?

“I think anything’s feasible," Taylor said. "At the same time, there are a lot of nuances to our offense when you’re asking that guy to learn that quickly and be able to operate it in a game, it’s a challenge. It’s a challenge in any system. I think it’s a challenge in our system."

The Bengals will certainly monitor the waiver wire. Every NFL team will trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.

Cincinnati added three players on waivers last year: Max Scharping, Devin Asiasi and Jay Tufele.

Quarterback is one of a few spots that they could target this year. Running back and tight end may also be on the list.

Fans shouldn't hold their breath that Cam Newton, Carson Wentz or Nick Foles is going to be at Paycor Stadium anytime soon. If the Bengals felt like they should sign one of the big-named veteran quarterbacks, they probably would've done it already.

They're focused on Siemian and Browning with two more practices and one preseason game left.

"I like where they’re headed mentally with our system," Taylor said. "I like where they’re headed physically in terms of operating with the urgency and the communication that we want, and the accuracy. I think both of them have gotten better over training camp. I’ve been really pleased with that. So again, (they’re) two guys that are really headed in the right direction now and a couple more practices to see how it shakes out.”

Both Browning and Siemian will play the majority of the game on Saturday night. Reid Sinnett will also get some snaps for the first time this preseason.

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