Jake Browning is a veteran backup quarterback who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2026 after several seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jake Browning is a former Washington Huskies standout who has carved out an NFL career as a reliable backup quarterback. Undrafted in 2019, he spent years on Cincinnati's roster and stepped in when needed behind Joe Burrow. In March 2026 he signed with Tampa Bay to back up Baker Mayfield.
Path to the league
Browning played college football at Washington, where he was a productive multi-year starter. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019 before landing with the Bengals, spending the 2021 and 2022 seasons on Cincinnati's practice squad.
Career highlights
Browning earned a reputation as a steady backup, most notably filling in for an injured Joe Burrow during the 2023 season. He served as Cincinnati's primary backup for a third straight year in 2025.
2025 season
Browning started three games (five played) in 2025 after Burrow suffered a turf-toe injury, completing 81 of 125 passes for 771 yards and six touchdowns, per the Buccaneers. After Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco ahead of Week 6, Browning returned to the bench. On March 13, 2026, he signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with Tampa Bay to back up Baker Mayfield.
Sources
- ESPN: QB Jake Browning to sign 1-year deal with Bucs, source says
- ESPN: Jake Browning player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Passing
5 games played▶Passing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CMP | ATT | YDS | TD | INT | RTG | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bengals | 5 | 81 | 125 | 771 | 6 | 8 | 71.1 | 35.2 |
| 2024 | bengals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 | - |
| 2023 | bengals | 9 | 171 | 243 | 1,936 | 12 | 7 | 98.4 | 60.8 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bengals | 5 | 9 | 39 | 4.3 | 1 | 13 |
| 2024 | bengals | 3 | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | 0 | -1 |
| 2023 | bengals | 9 | 27 | 127 | 4.7 | 3 | 21 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Quarterback
- Group
- offense
- College
- Washington
- Hometown
- Folsom, CA, USA
- Age
- 30
- Status
- active
