Through four games, the Bengals have punted 23 times, and that number should be 24. Despite being 2-2, they may need to punt on 2025.

Sure, they have as many wins as Washington, Kansas City and Denver, and more victories than Baltimore. But just look at this offense without Joe Burrow. In two starts, Jake Browning has thrown for a total of 265 yards. Hell, Burrow could do that in a half some days. Chase Brown has 133 total yards rushing through four games, just over 33 yards per game. In the final six games last year, Brown averaged 78.2 yards per game.

And with the struggles at quarterback, the dynamic wide receiver duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is not putting up numbers either. They have combined for 36 catches in four games; in 2024, they combined for 200 receptions.

Browning is not the answer at quarterback. Unless the Bengals are willing to trade draft capital for an upgrade (hint: they aren’t), this is a season wasting Brown, Chase, Higgins and Trey Hendrickson.

Call the Browns about Joe Flacco, hell, maybe even inquire about Shadeur Sanders. Russell Wilson? Jameis Winston? Do SOMETHING. It might not save the season, but it at least looks like you are trying.

The Browns wasted the career of a Hall of Fame player in Joe Thomas. The Bengals can’t let that happen to their stars.