Bengals QB Jake Browning Fumes Over Benching After Joe Flacco Signing: “If I Wasn’t Pissed, I Shouldn’t Be Here”

Cincinnati, OH — October 9, 2025

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning didn’t mince words this week when addressing his recent benching — and the arrival of veteran Joe Flacco as his replacement.

After a rocky stretch as the Bengals’ starting quarterback, Browning admitted he’s angry about losing his job, but he also made it clear that he doesn’t believe the team’s offensive woes rest solely on his shoulders.

“If I wasn’t pissed, then I shouldn’t be in this locker room,” Browning told reporters Wednesday, a day after news broke that the Bengals had signed Flacco. “I’m not dumb or arrogant enough to think I didn’t play my role in the offensive struggles, but there’s a lot that goes into it. I think there’s a lot of other things that kind of contributed to our lack of offensive production.”

A Brutal Stretch for Cincinnati’s Offense

Browning’s frustration comes after a difficult run leading the Bengals’ offense in four appearances and three starts this season.
In those games, he threw for 757 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions, completing 64.5% of his passes.

While those numbers show flashes of potential, they also reveal inconsistency — particularly in crucial moments. The Bengals failed to secure a single win during Browning’s starts, going 0–3 in that span and falling further behind in a competitive AFC North division.

Offensive efficiency has been one of Cincinnati’s biggest problems this season. Despite having top-tier talent like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon, the Bengals have struggled to find rhythm, particularly in the red zone. In the last three games, the team averaged just 15.7 points per game — a far cry from their explosive reputation during Joe Burrow’s peak years.

Browning’s Perspective: “It’s Not All on One Guy”

For Browning, the frustration isn’t just about losing his starting job — it’s about the narrative that he alone is responsible for the team’s offensive collapse.

“Look, I know I didn’t play perfect football,” Browning said candidly. “But I also know what I’m seeing out there — and it’s not all on one guy. Quarterbacks take the heat, that’s how it works, but we’ve got to be honest about what’s really happening.”

When pressed on what those “other things” were, Browning didn’t go into specifics but hinted at offensive line issues, play-calling concerns, and a lack of cohesion among the skill players.

The Bengals have dealt with significant instability up front this season, including injuries to both starting tackles. Browning, who was sacked 12 times in his three starts, often faced pressure before his receivers could finish their routes.

“That’s not an excuse,” he clarified. “That’s just reality. Football’s a team game, and we all have to own it — coaches included.”

Enter Joe Flacco: A Veteran’s Second Chance

The Bengals’ decision to sign Joe Flacco, 40, sent shockwaves through the locker room and the fan base alike. Flacco, the former Super Bowl MVP, last played in 2024 with the Cleveland Browns, where he led a surprising playoff push and reminded teams he could still sling it when called upon.

For the Bengals, bringing in Flacco signals a win-now mindset. With the season teetering on the edge, the front office believes experience might stabilize an offense in chaos.

Head coach Zac Taylor defended the move, saying it wasn’t about blaming Browning but about “giving the team the best chance to win.”

“Jake’s a competitor and a professional,” Taylor said. “He’s handled a tough situation as well as anyone could. We just felt we needed to bring in someone who’s been through these kinds of battles before.”

Still, the move has raised eyebrows among fans who question whether the Bengals’ problems truly start — or end — with quarterback play.

Locker Room Reaction: Respect and Reality

Inside the locker room, Browning’s teammates have expressed support for him while acknowledging the business side of the decision.

Veteran receiver Tyler Boyd said, “Jake worked his tail off. We didn’t give him the help he needed. At the end of the day, that’s on all of us.”

Even star wideout Ja’Marr Chase, who has struggled to find chemistry with Browning, kept things diplomatic: “It’s tough, man. He’s got that fire, that emotion. I respect that. But the league moves fast. You’ve got to move with it.”

Browning’s competitive edge hasn’t gone unnoticed. Several teammates said they expect him to continue practicing hard and preparing as if he could be called on again at any time.

“He’s pissed — and that’s a good thing,” said one Bengals lineman, speaking anonymously. “That’s the kind of fire you want from your quarterback. No one’s quitting here.”

A Quarterback’s Crossroads

For Browning, the benching is another test in a career defined by resilience. The former Washington Huskies standout went undrafted in 2019 and bounced around practice squads before finally getting his shot in Cincinnati.

He filled in admirably last season when Joe Burrow went down with injury, showing flashes of poise and promise. But this year, with playoff hopes slipping away and patience running thin, the Bengals opted for a veteran presence.

Whether Browning gets another chance this season remains uncertain, but he insists his mindset won’t change.

“I love football. I love competing. I’m not going to mope or point fingers,” he said. “But yeah, I’m pissed. Because I believe I can play at a high level. And I’m going to keep working to prove that.”

The Bigger Picture for Cincinnati

As the Bengals prepare for a crucial divisional matchup, the focus now shifts to how quickly Flacco can adapt — and whether the team’s issues can be fixed from under center alone.

Analysts note that Cincinnati’s problems run deeper than quarterback play: a banged-up offensive line, inconsistent play-calling, and a defense that’s struggled to get key stops have all contributed to their slide.

If Flacco succeeds, the Bengals could still salvage their season. If not, the finger-pointing may only intensify — and Browning’s words about shared accountability might start to sound prophetic.

Conclusion: Fire in the Locker Room

Jake Browning’s candid comments reflect both his frustration and his competitiveness — qualities that, ironically, could help him bounce back.

In a league where perception can change in a single Sunday, Browning’s story is far from over. He’s angry, he’s motivated, and he’s still very much a part of the Bengals’ locker room.

“If I wasn’t pissed,” he said again, “then I shouldn’t be here.”

For now, that fire might be the Bengals’ most valuable backup plan.