Free agent quarterback Jake Browning plans to sign a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Browning, 29, was the Cincinnati Bengals’ backup quarterback for the bulk of the past three seasons. He will go from backing up Joe Burrow to Baker Mayfield in Tampa.
Browning’s most notable stretch came in 2023, when he stepped in for an injured Burrow and helped Cincinnati win four of its final seven games.
The team called upon Browning again in 2025 when Burrow suffered a turf toe injury. In that stint, Browning struggled. Following a win in Week 2, Browning sputtered the following three weeks. He completed 64.8% of his passes for 771 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
The Bengals made a switch ahead of Week 6 and acquired Joe Flacco via a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Browning finished the season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
Browning spent five total seasons with the Bengals. He started out on the practice squad but was on the 53-player roster the last three seasons.
ESPN’s Ben Baby contributed to this report.
