Joe Burrow Replacements: Trade Options, Free Agents and Wild Cards the Bengals Could Pursue

There are plenty of potential starting quarterbacks for the Bengals, including two who faced off in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever.

The Bengals’ Super Bowl hopes took a hit after Joe Burrow sustained a strained calf in his right leg during practice Thursday. Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor told reporters Friday afternoon that he expects his starting quarterback to be sidelined “several weeks.”

The Bengals do have a handful of decent backup plans if Burrow is forced to miss regular-season games. The QB trade market might expand if they’re willing to part with a high draft pick.

The free-agent list might be thin, but there are three first-round quarterbacks available with lots of starting experience. Cincinnati could also place a few calls to some notable signal-callers who might not be retired, after all.

Burrow is expected to miss “several weeks” with a calf strain :: Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinnati Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Here are backup quarterback options for the Bengals if they decide not to stick with current backups Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning.

Trade options

Andy Dalton, Panthers: Dalton’s return to Cincinnati would generate some hope among the fan base and lots of heartwarming features regarding his nine seasons with the Bengals from 2011 to ’19.

But Dalton can also play—he’s the No. 1 QB on our backup rankings for the 2023 season. And it would be fun to watch what he could do with this offense, featuring Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A Dalton-led offense won’t strike fear among the top teams in the AFC, but it could keep the Bengals afloat and in striking distance for a wild-card spot.

But trading for Dalton might be costly, and he might not be worth the trouble compared to the other quarterbacks listed here. Why would the Panthers trade their premium QB insurance and Bryce Young’s mentor for his rookie season for a low draft pick?

Sam Darnold, 49ers: Judging from Kyle Shanahan’s recent rave review regarding Darnold, he, too, might be an expensive trade option.

Shanahan told the San Francisco Chronicle that Darnold could be on a similar career path as Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, who took a few years to develop into an MVP and Super Bowl winner. That, of course, drew many snickers on social media, because Darnold had rough stints with the Jets and Panthers.

And Darnold, the 2018 No. 3 pick, might not be available if Shanahan believes in him that much. The 49ers probably have Brock Purdy and Darnold as the top two QBs on their depth chart, leaving another No. 3 pick available for the Bengals.

Trey Lance, 49ers: There were reports in the offseason that Lance was on the trading block, with the Vikings potentially being a possible destination if they were willing to part with Kirk Cousins. And it also doesn’t bode well for Lance that Shanahan might have preferred Mac Jones in the 2021 draft, if reports were true.

The 49ers gave up a lot of draft capital to move up and select Lance. This is an opportunity for the organization to get some draft picks for a quarterback who might not be in their long-term plans with the emergence of Purdy last season. Lance has started only nfour games since entering the league two years ago.

Gardner Minshew, Colts: Minshew is a quality quarterback who has had success in the league, notably during his rookie season in 2019 with the Jaguars. He also played well in two games as the starter for the Eagles last season.

But similar to the Dalton and Panthers scenario, why would the Colts trade away their top backup and someone who could assist Anthony Richardson during his rookie season? Perhaps Minshew won’t be as costly because the Panthers have a strong chance at winning the NFC South. It’s tough seeing the Colts beating the Jaguars in the AFC South.

With this possibly being a rebuilding season in Indy, might as well get a few draft picks out of Cincinnati for Minshew.

Matthew Stafford, Rams: If Stafford is fully healed from the injuries he sustained last season, he’s probably the Bengals’ best option at remaining a Super Bowl contender without Burrow.

The Rams won’t admit it, but this is a rebuilding season in L.A. with several young players surrounding Stafford, Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp. There are also reports that the Rams might have shopped Stafford this offseason.

If the Bengals offer a first- or second-round pick and take on most of Stafford’s remaining contract, the Rams would probably do the trade in a heartbeat. More draft picks means more trade chips to move up in the draft next year, which will probably feature Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ryan Tannehill, Titans: It’s tough seeing Tennessee moving on from Tannehill after signing DeAndre Hopkins because it’s looking to compete for the AFC South with the Jaguars. But it wasn’t long ago that the Titans reportedly considered making Tannehill a cap casualty.

Also, the Titans have drafted quarterbacks Will Levis and Malik Willis the past two seasons. Might as well start the youth movement early and see what you have in the two inexperienced QBs before a loaded draft class in 2024.

Free agents

Bridgewater has a reputation for being a reliable game manager :: Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports

Teddy Bridgewater: The 2014 first-round pick of the Vikings has a reputation for being a reliable game manager and has plenty of experience with 78 games played with 65 career starts, including stints with the Saints, Panthers, Broncos and Dolphins.

But Bridgewater’s lack of arm strength and safe performances led to his losing his starting role with the Panthers in 2020 and the Broncos in ’21. Bridgewater tends to play better as the interim starter—he had a few standout performances in New Orleans while filling in for Drew Brees.

Carson Wentz: Wentz would push the ball downfield more than Bridgewater, but his erratic play style often led to costly turnovers during his starting stints with the Colts and Commanders the past two seasons.

Also, Colts owner Jim Irsay took a few shots at Wentz for his tumultuous 2021 stint in Indianapolis. Perhaps Wentz didn’t deserve the bulk of the blame, but he’s been off ever since Nick Foles guided the Eagles to the Super Bowl in ’17 while Wentz was sidelined with an injury.

But we’ve seen comeback stories before, so there might be hope for the 2016 No. 2 pick. Geno Smith did it last year with the Seahawks.

Joe Flacco: Flacco definitely won’t be atop the Bengals’ list of available QBs, but if Burrow is out for only the summer or a few regular-season games, the Super Bowl–winning signal-caller might not be a bad option.

O.K., maybe don’t ask Jets fans for an evaluation. Flacco completed only 57.6% of his passes in five games with the Jets last season. But at least he has plenty of experience, with 180 career starts.

Wild cards

These options are a little out there, so I’ll keep the analysis brief.

Kaepernick recently received rave reviews from Cowboys star wide receiver Lamb :: Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady: With seven Super Bowl rings, Brady has no reason to come back, and he’s also now a minority owner of the Raiders and a future TV analyst for Fox. But Brady is a competitor, and he might miss the game too much, which was the case last year after he quickly ended his first retirement.

The Bengals should at least give Brady a call.

Colin Kaepernick: Kaepernick recently told me he trains five to six days a week and assured me he can easily throw farther than 60 yards. The former 49ers quarterback also recently received rave reviews from Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Philip Rivers: Rivers still hasn’t had his retirement ceremony with the Chargers. Is it because he’s still waiting for another opportunity to win a Super Bowl? Rivers probably would let the Bengals know he’s interested, but he didn’t have much arm strength left during his final NFL season with the Colts, in 2020.

Matt Ryan: Technically, Ryan hasn’t retired, despite taking a job with CBS Sports. He, too, is waiting for one more shot at winning a Super Bowl and forgetting about the 28–3 debacle with the Falcons. But similar to Rivers, Ryan also didn’t have much left last season with the Colts.