The Cincinnati Bengals are entering the 2026 NFL campaign with Joe Burrow as their starting quarterback, and when healthy, Burrow is absolutely one of the league’s best.
But given Burrow’s penchant toward getting injured, the Bengals might want to find some insurance, and Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox feels that could come in the form of Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo’s potential return to the NFL has sparked fresh speculation about where the veteran quarterback might land as training camps open across the league.
After briefly contemplating retirement earlier in the offseason, the 12-year pro has made clear he remains open to playing if the right opportunity arises. While several teams with established starters and thin depth charts have drawn attention as possible destinations, the Bengals stand out as a particularly intriguing fit given their recent experience navigating life without their franchise quarterback.
Last season offered a stark reminder of how dependent the Bengals are on Joe Burrow’s availability. Cincinnati posted a respectable 5-3 mark when their star was under center, only to collapse to a 1-8 record once he was sidelined.
The team’s attempt to plug the gap by acquiring Joe Flacco ultimately fell short, as defensive shortcomings compounded the offensive struggles. That painful stretch underscored a simple truth: when Burrow is healthy and productive, the Bengals can compete with almost anyone; when he is not, the season can unravel quickly.
Burrow’s injury history only heightens the stakes. From a torn ACL that ended his rookie campaign early, to a calf strain that limited him early in another season, a wrist ligament tear that forced him to miss the final stretch of 2023, and a turf toe injury that cost him significant time more recently, the quarterback has repeatedly been forced to the sideline.
Soft-tissue issues and joint problems have become a recurring theme, raising legitimate questions about how many full, healthy seasons remain in his future. For a franchise built around its young star and the surrounding offensive talent, the absence of a reliable veteran presence behind him represents a clear vulnerability.
That is where Garoppolo enters the conversation. The former Super Bowl participant brings more than a decade of experience, 57 regular-season starts, and a proven ability to step into starting roles on short notice.
He is not a dual-threat dynamo in the mold of some modern quarterbacks, but his pocket presence, decision-making, and familiarity with complex offensive schemes could provide Cincinnati with the steady hand it lacked when Burrow went down.
In a league where even the most durable signal-callers can be sidelined by a single awkward landing or twist, having a battle-tested option like Garoppolo on the roster offers insurance that goes beyond simply filling a depth chart.
Timing remains a factor. With camps already underway and most quarterback rooms seemingly set, any move would likely hinge on further developments—perhaps another injury elsewhere or a sudden change in Cincinnati’s own situation.
Yet the Bengals’ recent track record makes them a natural candidate should Garoppolo decide the conditions are right. A reunion of sorts with a competitive offense, the chance to mentor younger players, and the opportunity to step in if needed could align with what the veteran has described as the “right situation.”
For a franchise that has tasted playoff success and still harbors Super Bowl aspirations whenever Burrow is healthy, addressing the backup quarterback question is more than a luxury. It is a necessity.
Whether Garoppolo ultimately chooses Cincinnati or another landing spot, the conversation itself highlights how fragile even the most talented teams can become when their starting quarterback is unavailable. In that light, the Bengals’ place among the teams that could benefit from his experience feels both logical and timely.
