Jake Browning arrives in Tampa Bay eager to back up Baker Mayfield and contribute to the Bucs' winning tradition. This comes after several impressive performances with the Cincinnati Bengals.
After losing backup signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater to the Detroit Lions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved quickly to find his replacement. They did that by bringing in Jake Browning, who played his past three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Browning saw major action in two of those seasons, with 2023 being his most impressive.
The Washington product filled in during Joe Burrow's injury absences, throwing for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns. Browning led the Bengals to a 4-5 record over his nine-game stint, throwing for over 300 yards three times.
Browning's best game as a pro came in 2024 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw for 354 yards and a touchdown. He also completed 32-of-37 pass attempts which showed tremendous accuracy.
He also flashed his athletic ability, scampering for an additional 22 yards and a touchdown.
This game sparked a three-game winning streak for the Bengals, where Browning threw for 953 yards and accounted for seven total scores.
Friday afternoon, Browning talked about what prompted him to sign in Tampa. He opened by telling the assembled media that Tampa Bay was one of his "top" choices, crediting the winning culture the Bucs have created.
"[I] kind of had this one, you know, towards the top, if not the top," Browning said. "You know, obviously they've been able to win a lot of games here over the last few years, the recent Super Bowl."
Browning also talked about having the opportunity to back up Baker Mayfield. He believes there are some similarities between the two.
" [I've] always been a fan of Baker Mayfield from afar. Don't know him well, but you know, he's always kind of somebody who I watched most of his throws and most of his plays," Browning said. "I think it's somewhat similar. You know, neither one of us are huge guys with a a huge arm, but able to process quickly and stuff like that."
Browning also said he's excited to learn from Mayfield. He is anxious to see how he carries himself in the locker room.
The 2025 season was not as kind to Browning, starting just four games. He managed to beat the AFC South-winning Jaguars once again, but lost his other three starts, throwing for just six touchdowns against eight interceptions.
Browning talked about how he tried to play "hero ball" for the struggling Bengals, calling on his past success.
"Last season [2025] you know, we were kind of going through a tough spot as a team and and I tried to step in and play some hero ball a little bit..." Browning said. "We were struggling running the ball. We were struggling on a lot of different areas and I thought oh okay, I'm going to be the one to like save us. And so you end up forcing some throws that were dumb. And you know trying to do too much which is a big big no-no for quarterbacks."
Browning credited the Bucs offensive line and receiving core, while continuing to give Mayfield credit for his command of the offense. However, he said he is also excited to get to work with new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Robinson, a former Bengals QB himself, joined the Bucs after two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He also has connections with Mayfield from the two's brief time together in Los Angeles, where Mayfield essentially revived his career.
Browning said he has "just heard good things" about Robinson, while adding that his former head coach, Zac Taylor, also spent time with the Rams and is intimately familiar with Robinson.
"I think when you're making decisions on where you're going to go, you want to play for good people and I've heard nothing but good things about the coaches here," Browning said.
Browning ended the session by disclosing perhaps his best trait - staying calm and helping "emotionally charged" teammates stay locked into the game plan.
"Nobody wants to hear the backup quarterback, who's not playing, you know, complain about something," Browning said. "It's like, all right, just be relaxed. Try to be helpful and focus on trying to help everybody win."
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