The Cincinnati Bengals began looking for reinforcements as soon as the news broke that quarterback Joe Burrow would miss extended time. On Tuesday, it was announced that the team has signed not one, but two quarterbacks out of free agency, though they will likely be relegated to the practice squad.
Bengals Sign Two Quarterbacks To Practice Squad
After entering the 2025 NFL season as a Super Bowl hopeful, the outlook has changed for Cincinnati. They’ve started 2-0, but a significant injury to their most important player has essentially dashed their hopes of competing for the AFC this season. After he hobbled off of the field during Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it has been reported that Burrow needs surgery on his toe, which will keep him out of action for at least three months.
Jake Browning, who has some starting experience for the Bengals, replaced Burrow mid-game. The 29-year-old will assume the starting job for the foreseeable future, but the team knew that they were in need of some depth in the QB room.
Brett Rypien, who had been on the #Bengals practice squad, is being signed to the 53-man roster, source says. That puts him in line to be the backup to Jake Browning. https://t.co/EGMIrsUHnZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2025
In response, they have elevated Brett Rypien from the practice squad, who now becomes the backup to Browning. In addition, Cincinnati has hit the free agent market and brought in a couple of pass throwers. Both Sean Clifford and Mike White are being signed to the Bengals’ practice squad, which was reported by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
Of the two, White has much more NFL experience. The 5th year pro has started seven games in his career thus far, all for the New York Jets. The results haven’t been pretty, though, as White has thrown 9 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his on-field appearances, and the Bengals are his third team in the past 13 months.
Clifford, who was a 5th round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers in 2023, has thrown just one pass in his NFL career.
The Bengals will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings this Sunday, who are dealing with quarterback health issues of their own.
