Bengals Should Commerce for $180 Million Joe Burrow Alternative

[ad_1] The Cincinnati Bengals skilled their worst concern when franchise quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a extreme foot damage. It was later revealed that he suffered a extreme turf toe damage that might require surgical procedure.

Extra information: How Did Dillon Gabriel Do in His First Begin With Browns?

Burrow was initially presupposed to miss weeks, however additional updates positioned him as doubtlessly lacking two or extra months. With Burrow out for an prolonged interval, the Bengals have leaned on backup quarterback Jake Browning.

To this point, the Browning experiment has not gone effectively in any respect. The Bengals are presently 2-2 on the season, however Browning has not performed one of the best of soccer. He has seven interceptions, together with the sport towards the Detroit Lions in Week 5.

Browning led the Bengals to 4-3 document in 2023 when Burrow was injured, however he has struggled mightily in 2025. His struggles have been amplified by a horrific stat that proves the workforce must discover a new reply.

Loading twitter content material...

Following Browning taking up for Burrow, the Bengals have gone on to not rating a landing in 17 straight possessions. That is an insane stat contemplating the workforce has Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

With the Bengals all however drowning with Browning on the helm, the workforce should make a drastic transfer for a brand new reply, and that reply must be Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

<img id="10814101" alt="Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow" caption="CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="3268" height="1820" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2235411667-e1759346348830.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1x" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2235411667-e1759346348830.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> Extra information: Colts’ Daniel Jones Awarded Huge $400,000 Bonus

Cousins has basically been held captive by the Falcons, because it has been said a number of instances over that he's not tradable. Nevertheless, Atlanta may soften their stance on it ought to the Bengals conform to tackle the steep contract that Cousins has.

If Cincinnati had been keen to cough up a possible second or third spherical draft decide, whereas doubtlessly throwing in a later spherical choice, the Falcons might say sure to this.

The largest purpose the Falcons are probably unwilling to commerce Cousins is because of his large lifeless cap hit. In line with ESPN, "If the Falcons traded Cousins, they might be on the hook for the $37.5 million of remaining proration, whereas his totally assured $27.5 million of base wage would switch to his new workforce."

There would probably be no deal if the Bengals didn't agree to soak up a few of that cash. If legally doable, they could have to sweeten the deal on the $27.5 million contract, probably having to conform to pay a number of the $37.5 million of lifeless cap the Falcons would face.

At this level, the Bengals have to make a drastic transfer, and Cousins may assist to pump some lifeblood again into this stagnant offense. If Cincinnati needs to make sure they've a positive document if and when Burrow comes again, they want an enormous commerce.

Cousins would make a ton of sense. He needs out, however cannot achieve this except a workforce takes an enormous swing on him. The Bengals should be that workforce if they're critical about rebounding their season.