Joe Burrow injury: Exploring possible free agent QBs for Cincinnati Bengals

Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati Bengals were dealt a worst-case scenario Friday when it was revealed that starting quarterback Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his wrist that is expected to require season-ending surgery.

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Head coach Zac Taylor was adamant in his press conference Friday afternoon that the "season is far from over" for the Bengals, who dropped to 5-5 after Thursday's 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Third-year backup Jake Browning is the presumed starter moving forward. He was 8-of-14 for 68 yards, ran for 40 yards and threw his first career touchdown pass in relief of Burrow Thursday.

Quarrterbac A.J. McCarron, an eighth-year journeyman, is on the Bengals' practice squad.

But would the Bengals explore other options at quarterback for a potential playoff push in the crowded AFC?

Here are the top options for Cincinnati from outside the building.

Colt McCoy

A familiar face for Bengals fans as McCoy quarterbacked the Cleveland Browns for the first three years of his career. McCoy, 37, has been a perennial backup throughout his career. He hasn't started more than four games in a season since 2011. McCoy spent the last two seasons in Arizona, where he went 3-3 with 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and a 71.0 completion percentage.

Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) looks to pass in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) looks to pass in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

McCoy was seemingly slated to start for Arizona this season with Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL but was surprisingly cut in late-August and hasn't been signed.

Nick Foles

Foles, 34, played for four teams in five seasons after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl after starter Carson Wentz went down with a knee injury. Foles played in three games last year (two starts) for the Indianapolis Colts, throwing 4 interceptions and no touchdowns. He suffered a rib injury in his final game with the Colts on Jan. 1, 2023.

Prior to his time with the Colts, Foles went 3-5 over two years with the Chicago Bears (2020-21).

Joe Flacco

Another former division-rival, Flacco was Baltimore's starting quarterback for 11 years and led the Ravens to a Super Bowl in 2012. Flacco, 38, is a free agent after going 1-8 over the last three seasons, throwing 14 touchdowns against 6 interceptions, with the New York Jets.

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) drops back to throw a long pass in the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.
New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) drops back to throw a long pass in the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.

According to ESPN's Jake Trotter, the Cleveland Browns are set to workout Flacco after the team lost starting quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season with a shoulder injury.

Matt Ryan

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is currently calling NFL games for CBS but has not officially retired. Ryan, 38, a four-time Pro-Bowl selection and the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2016, spent 14 seasons in Atlanta before spending last year in Indianapolis.

Matt Ryan #2 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to playing the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Matt Ryan #2 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to playing the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With the Colts, Ryan went 4-7-1 in 12 starts, throwing for over 3,000 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He was benched twice during the year and didn't play in the final three games as interim head coach Jeff Saturday opted to start Foles and Sam Ehlinger.

Cam Newton

Of the top options available, Newton has had the longest absence. The former MVP has not played in an NFL game since Nov. 26, 2021. After eight seasons in Carolina, Newton was the New England Patriots' starting quarterback in 2020, going 7-8. He was cut by New England prior to the 2021 season and later returned to the Panthers, where he went 0-5.

In 22 appearances from 2019-21, Newton went 7-15 and threw just 12 touchdowns against 16 interceptions. He ran for over 800 yards and 17 scores in that span.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow injury: Top free agent QBs available for Cincinnati Bengals

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