Brandon Allen Expected to Depart as Competition for Second QB Spot Intensifies
Brandon Allen Expected to Depart as Competition for Second QB Spot Intensifies
The air around the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice facility buzzed with tension as the quarterback competition reached its boiling point. Brandon Allen, the veteran backup who had faithfully held the clipboard for Joe Burrow over the past few seasons, found himself at the center of a storm.
The emergence of young prospects like Jake Browning and a surprise standout performance from rookie Kyle Simmons had shifted the dynamics in the quarterback room. What had once been a relatively secure role for Allen now felt precarious. Head coach Zac Taylor was blunt when asked about the situation during a press conference.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in the room,” Taylor said. “Brandon’s been a tremendous asset to this team, but competition is the nature of the game. Everyone’s fighting for their spot.”
Allen could feel the writing on the wall. At 31, he was a seasoned player, known for his ability to step in during critical moments. But in a league increasingly driven by youth, upside, and cap-friendly contracts, experience wasn’t always enough.
That evening, as he sat in his apartment overlooking the Ohio River, Allen reflected on his journey. Drafted by the Jaguars in 2016, he had bounced around the league, always a step away from being a starter but never quite crossing the threshold. His bond with Burrow and the Bengals had been one of his most rewarding experiences, but now it seemed like the end of the line in Cincinnati.
The next morning, Allen walked into Taylor’s office.
“Coach, I know where this is headed,” Allen said. “I just want to say thank you for the opportunity. If it’s time for me to move on, I’ll do it with my head held high.”
Taylor nodded, appreciating Allen’s professionalism. “You’ve been nothing but a pro, Brandon. You’ll land on your feet, no question about it.”
By the week’s end, news broke that Brandon Allen and the Bengals had mutually agreed to part ways. Whispers of teams like the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints expressing interest in the veteran backup circulated.
For Allen, it was another chapter in a career defined by resilience. While the competition for the second QB spot in Cincinnati would move forward without him, he remained ready to embrace the next challenge. His departure wasn’t just the end of an era for the Bengals; it was a reminder that in the NFL, the fight for relevanc
e never truly ends.