Ben Child
CINCINNATI — Bengals coach Zac Taylor sounded open to the potential of a quarterback change after Jake Browning struggled once more in a 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Taylor mentioned he plans to guage why the offense struggled in a 3rd straight defeat. Browning threw three interceptions earlier than he led the Bengals to 3 touchdowns within the last quarter to trim the ultimate margin.
“After a recreation like that, we will have a look at all personnel to ensure we're doing the fitting factor,” Taylor mentioned when requested if he nonetheless believes in Browning transferring ahead. “I will not shrink back from that as a result of it is a particularly reasonable query after the quantity of turnovers that we had.”
Browning was 26-of-40 passing for 251 yards, 3 touchdowns and three interceptions. However all three TDs and 133 of these yards got here within the fourth quarter, after Cincinnati was walloped early for a 3rd consecutive week.
Browning, who changed the injured Joe Burrow, was booed after a number of drives within the first half. At one level, he was booed as he led the offense on the sector.
The veteran backup did not disagree with the followers' response. After the loss, Browning mentioned he let down the workforce and the followers and did not play nicely sufficient to place Cincinnati in a successful place.
Browning's first interception, a deep ball supposed for extensive receiver Ja'Marr Chase, got here after nearly all of his passes have been quick throws.
Browning has thrown eight interceptions in 4 video games this season. When he began seven video games in 2023, additionally instead of the injured Burrow, Browning threw seven interceptions in 9 contests.
“I bought to select my spots higher,” Browning mentioned. “I threw three picks that have been simply dangerous. And there is no hiding from that. It was dangerous soccer. From me.”
The Bengals have three different quarterbacks. Brett Rypien is on the 53-player roster, and Mike White and Sean Clifford are on the observe squad.
Getting into Sunday, Taylor expressed “unwavering” confidence in Browning. And regardless of opening the door for a brand new beginning choice, Taylor nonetheless held on to a few of that perception after the most recent loss.
“I consider Jake can win video games for us,” Taylor mentioned. “I do. We'll simply proceed to take a look at every little thing we are able to, personnel-wise.”
Taylor, the seventh-year coach and the workforce's offensive playcaller, shouldered duty for the ineffective offense. Sunday marked the third straight recreation the Bengals scored simply three factors via the primary three quarters. Cincinnati scored 21 factors within the fourth quarter, after the Lions had opened up a 28-3 lead.
Chase completed the sport with six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins additionally had a late landing.
At his locker after the sport, Chase was requested if getting the offense going earlier begins with focusing on him and Higgins as a lot as attainable.
“We have been doing that,” Chase mentioned. “I simply assume it is a powerful activity when everyone is aware of what we're doing. Perhaps we have set to work exhausting to get the ball to us, and we have set to work more durable as a unit to make it look simpler for Jake.”
As Chase and Higgins spoke with reporters, Browning sat at his locker, hunched over. His chair was the one one crammed among the many adjoining spots on his finish of the room.
“I do not care if each particular person on the workforce says they should play higher,” he mentioned. “It begins with me enjoying higher on the quarterback place.”
