Turf Show Times
Jake Browning is one of the most intriguing names you’ve maybe never heard of
The Los Angeles Rams must take steps to future-proof the quarterback position this offseason regardless of whether Matthew Stafford returns to the team for 2025. It’s either a new contract or a trade when it comes to LA’s franchise quarterback. Even if he’s back, the Rams need to plan for life after Stafford—whether that comes in 2026 or beyond.
Maybe that means taking a quarterback early in this spring’s NFL Draft. That route is complicated by the fact the Rams don’t have a second round pick.
More realistic is the idea of a veteran reclamation project with upside and starting potential. Some individuals are bigger bets than others; however, LA can trust Sean McVay to maximize the talent of whoever is under center.
There is one veteran quarterback that makes a lot of sense for the Rams with or without Stafford:
The Bengals re-signed Browning last offseason for his age 28 and 29 seasons. He’s slated to make just over $1M in 2025.
On the surface there wouldn’t appear to be much upside for 30-year old, former UDFA; however, when given the chance to start in place of Joe Burrow for seven games in 2023, Browning put his name on the map. In less than half a season he completed 70.3% of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 TD’s, and 7 INT’s. He’s also a mobile threat and accumulated 127 rushing yards on 27 carries with three scores. This stretch included three games with over 300 yards and five games with multiple touchdowns.
Projecting that base over a full 17-game season, Browning would be on pace for 4,530+ passing yards, and 26 touchdowns. That’s good enough to get the job done.
Even the advanced analytics are impressive and suggest there is starting talent to possibly tap into. Out of the 41 QB’s in the 2023 season with at least 169 dropbacks, Browning ranked 16th with a Pro Football Focus (PFF) offensive grade of 79.3. Most impressive was his run grade of 87.8 which ranked behind only Brock Purdy, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes.
There is reason for pause. In his small sample size of seven starts from 2023, Browning notched only nine big-time throws (BTT) to 11 turnover-worthy plays (TWP). Eight of those TWP’s came in two games, with three in Week 12 and five in Week 16 in both games against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Browning also had the lowest average depth of target (ADOT) of all signal callers using the same snap count thresholds, though in tandem he did rank second behind Kirk Cousins in adjusted completion rate at 79.6%.
The bottom line is that Browning would be a low-cost trade option with upside. He could be a reliable backup to Stafford, who will be age 37 for the 2025 season and has a clouded injury history. Browning also has a...
