Jake Browning: Everything you need to know

Browning plans to sign a one-year deal with the Bucs, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. With starting quarterback Baker Mayfield taking quite a few hits last year, the Bucs are looking to bring in a tested backup. Browning played more than one offensive snap in four games for the Bengals during the 2025 season, totalling 757 pass yards and a 6:8 touchdown to interception ratio. The quarterback has started 10 games in his NFL career for a 4-6 record, adding a fifth win in Week 2 of the 2025 season when he passed 32 times against the Jaguars after Joe Burrow went down with a toe injury.

Browning will become an unrestricted free agent March 11, as the Bengals are not tendering the restricted free-agent quarterback, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Browning will test his market after making 10 regular-season starts for Cincinnati over the past three campaigns. Per Fowler, the Bengals are open to bringing Browning back, though Cincinnati benched Browning in favor of Joe Flacco while Joe Burrow was recovering from a toe injury during the 2025 season.

Browning (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Cleveland and will work as Cincinnati's emergency third quarterback. This has become a familiar role for Browning, as he's been the Bengals' emergency third QB every week since late November. In order for Browning to enter Sunday's contest, both Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco would have to exit due to injury, illness or ejection.