If you’re asking who is bengals qb, the short answer is Joe Burrow. But in the NFL, short answers are rarely the whole story. Especially after a 2025 season that felt like a fever dream for fans in the Queen City.
He’s the guy. He’s the $275 million man. Honestly, he’s basically the mayor of Cincinnati at this point, even if he spends half his time in the training room lately.
But if you watched any games between September and November of last year, you might’ve seen a different face under center. That's because being the Bengals quarterback has become one of the most high-stakes, high-injury-risk jobs in professional sports.
The Joe Burrow Reality: Who Is Bengals QB Right Now?
Right now, as we head into the 2026 offseason, Joe Burrow is firmly the starter. He finished the 2025 season on the field, which is a win in itself.
He’s 29 now. Sorta crazy, right? It feels like just yesterday he was smoking cigars at LSU. Now he’s a seasoned vet with a resume that looks like a medical textbook and a highlight reel rolled into one. In 2025, he only played eight games. He threw for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns. When he’s healthy, the Bengals are Super Bowl contenders. When he’s not, things get... complicated.
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The big story last year was the turf toe. Specifically, a Grade 3 tear in his left foot that he suffered in Week 2 against the Jaguars. It was brutal. He missed nine games. People were literally calling the season over by mid-September.
The Backup Situation You Need to Know
When Burrow went down, the "who is bengals qb" question actually had a two-part answer.
- Jake Browning: The guy who saved the 2023 season tried to do it again. He’s 29, same as Joe, and he’s remarkably steady for a backup. He started three games in 2025 while Burrow was out, but it wasn't quite the "Browning Mania" we saw a couple of years ago.
- Joe Flacco: Yeah, that happened. The Bengals actually brought in the veteran as a security regular. It’s wild seeing a former Ravens Super Bowl MVP in stripes, but that’s the 2026 NFL for you.
Burrow eventually came back for a Thanksgiving showdown against the Ravens. He finished the year strong, even though the Bengals missed the playoffs for the third straight year. In the season finale against the Browns on January 4, 2026, he threw three touchdowns. He looked like the old Joe.
Why the Bengals QB Search Is Never Really Over
The Bengals are in a weird spot. They have a generational talent at quarterback, but he’s missed significant time in three of his six seasons.
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- 2020: ACL/MCL tear (Rookie year cut short)
- 2023: Wrist surgery (Missed final 7 games)
- 2025: Grade 3 Turf Toe (Missed 9 games)
Because of this, the front office has to treat the backup position like a co-starter. You can't just have a "clipboard holder" when your $55-million-a-year superstar has this kind of injury luck. It’s why you see guys like Joe Flacco on the roster. It's why Jake Browning is one of the highest-paid backups in the league.
The 2026 Outlook
Heading into this year, Joe Burrow has made it clear he wants things to change. He told reporters in early January 2026 that this is a "huge" offseason. He wants more creativity in the offense. He wants the team to be more aggressive in free agency, particularly on the defensive side of the ball so he doesn't have to score 40 points every week just to keep up.
There’s been some chatter about other teams trying to trade for him. Don't buy it. The Bengals would have to be crazy to move him, and his dead cap hit for 2026 is over $56 million. He isn't going anywhere. He is Cincinnati.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bengals QB
People think Burrow is "injury prone" in a way that means he's soft. That’s just wrong. If you watch the tape, the guy takes hits that would sideline most humans for a month and he pops right back up. The problem is the sheer volume of hits.
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The Bengals' offensive line has been a work in progress for, well, forever. In 2024, he was sacked 48 times. In 2025, even in only eight games, he took 17 sacks. You do the math. No matter who is the Bengals QB, if they’re getting hit that much, they’re going to end up on the injury report.
Actionable Insights for Bengals Fans
If you're following the team this offseason, keep your eyes on these three things:
- The Backup Battle: Watch if the Bengals draft a mid-round QB. They need a young, cheap developmental guy behind Burrow and Browning.
- The Left Guard Position: Cordell Volson has struggled, and Burrow needs a clean pocket to stay healthy. Any movement here is a direct investment in Burrow's longevity.
- Offseason Training: Burrow’s "turf toe" surgery was serious. How he moves in OTAs (Organized Team Activities) this spring will tell us everything we need to know about his mobility for 2026.
Basically, Joe Burrow is the Bengals quarterback today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future. The only question is how many games his body will let him play.
To stay ahead of the curve, watch the Bengals' transaction wire for "Protective Standard" signings—vets on short deals meant to provide depth. If the team starts hoarding offensive tackles, it’s a sign they are finally prioritizing the health of their franchise centerpiece. Follow the snap counts during the 2026 preseason; if Burrow sits out entirely, it's a strategic move to ensure he hits Week 1 at 100% capacity.