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    Why one potential Joe Burrow replacement likely ‘isn’t a realistic option’ for Bengals

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    By Yardbarker,Zac Wassink

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    Why one potential Joe Burrow replacement likely 'isn't a realistic option' for Bengals

    Even before it was reported on Monday morning that Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow will miss at least three months of action after he undergoes surgery on his injured toe, individuals such as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk mentioned that the Bengals could view current Atlanta Falcons backup Kirk Cousins as a potential fill-in option.

    Jacob Camenker of USA Today poured cold water over such takes for a piece published on Monday.

    Kirk Cousins “isn’t a realistic option” for the Bengals

    “The main problem with the Bengals acquiring Cousins? The veteran quarterback is in the second year of a four-year, $180M contract,” Camenker wrote. “Paying him and Burrow (who is playing on a five-year, $275M deal) would get expensive even if Cincinnati simply treated Cousins as a rental. As such, Cousins isn’t a realistic option for the Bengals…”

    The Falcons reportedly had a high asking price attached to Cousins’ status before starter Michael Penix Jr. produced a mixed bag of results as Atlanta went 1-1 across the opening two weeks of this season. ESPN stats show that Penix ranks 15th in the league among qualified players with a 62.6 adjusted QBR and 22nd with an 88.9 passer rating for the campaign. He has contributed one passing touchdown and a rushing score on the season.

    It’s also worth noting that Cousins was benched for poor play in December 2024 after he was impacted by multiple injury issues coming off the torn Achilles he suffered in October 2023. The fact that no quarterback-needy team matched Atlanta’s price for Cousins’ services during the offseason seemingly shows how other clubs have viewed the 37-year-old throughout 2025.

    If not Kirk Cousins, who for Bengals?

    Both Camenker and Alper pointed out that Jameis Winston of the New York Giants could be a relatively cheap option for the Bengals. Winston is third on New York’s depth chart behind starter Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart, and Winston could serve as a reliable backup for presumed Cincinnati QB1 Jake Browning.

    On Monday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested that people within the Bengals think Browning gives the club “the best shot at” staying afloat amid Burrow’s recovery. Browning completed 21-of-32 passes for 241 yards and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) as the Bengals improved to 2-0 via their 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

    “Winston is playing on a two-year, $8M deal that is commensurate with the pay of NFL backup quarterbacks,” Camenker explained. “The Bengals could easily absorb that salary, install Winston as the backup behind Browning and ready the 31-year-old veteran to start should Browning stumble.”

    For now, Browning will get ready to start Cincinnati’s Week 3 matchup at the 1-1 Minnesota Vikings. As of Monday afternoon, the Vikings were 3.5-point favorites for that contest.

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