Ever since replacing Joe Burrow, Jake Browning has kind of looked like Joe Burrow.
The Washington product replaced the 2020 No. 1 overall pick Nov. 16 after Burrow tore a ligament in his wrist.
Browning has looked like anything but a backup quarterback, and Saturday may have been his most impressive performance.
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Jake Browning of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium Dec. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
He led the Cincinnati Bengals to a 27-24 overtime victory after they trailed by two touchdowns at one point.
Browning went undrafted as a free agent, but he’s put the entire league on notice.
After the game, Browning shared on his Instagram story that he received a text from an NFL employee, calling on him for a urine test for performance-enhancing drugs.
“This is Joe, DCO on behalf of the NFL. You’re on my list for a urine steroid test tomorrow,” the text said. “I will be in the testing area from 9:30-12:30. Please confirm you are receiving this.”
The message was sent at 4:34 p.m. ET, roughly 15 minutes after the game went final.
Jake Browning of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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In four games as a starter, Browning is 3-1 and has completed 75.9% of his passes for 1,180 yards and six touchdowns.
With the win, the Bengals jumped from the 10th seed in the AFC to No. 6, giving them a playoff spot.
Browning’s lone loss as a starter came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12, and he will get a chance at revenge next weekend.
The Steelers have a question mark at quarterback. Mitch Trubisky was replaced by Mason Rudolph in the fourth quarter in their loss to the Indianapolis Colts Saturday, which dropped the Steelers’ record to 7-7 and moved them from the seventh seed in the AFC to 12th.
Jake Browning (6) of the Cincinnati Bengals throws during the second half of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Cincinnati. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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But if the Bengals lose that matchup, the Steelers will jump ahead of them by virtue of a tiebreaker.
Browning went 29-for-42 for 324 yards in the victory.
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