This wasn't just any game for Jake Browning.
The Bengals quarterback, who has stepped in as the starter following the injury to Joe Burrow, helped lead the team to a 27—24 victory over the Vikings on Saturday, their third straight win.
After the game, Browning, who was cut by Minnesota back in 2021, spoke to reporters and gave a little insight into why he had extra gas in the tank for this matchup.
“Right after we made the field goal to win the game, I screamed at a camera and said, ‘They never should’ve cut me,’” Browning said.
“They never should’ve cut me” Jake Browning had fire in his belly for this one pic.twitter.com/rwlAa5R6yD
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 16, 2023
Browning explained that in 2021, the Vikings told him they might have a spot for him on the practice squad and instructed him to wait at the hotel. The Washington product said he received a text or a call from his agent that he didn't make it—but he didn't personally hear from the team about their decision.
"I've been cut my fair share of times and that was probably the sh---iest one,” Browning said. “And there was a little bit more this week.
“I know I denied it and there's some great people over there, it's completely different. Completely different coaching staff and everything. I want to emphasize that there are some incredible people over there. But that one felt good.”
While it may have been a different coaching staff on the other side for the Vikings on Saturday, Browning's feelings about why he was cut—and the way he was cut—remained the same. He used that as fuel to power a fourth-quarter comeback, one that saw him fire a couple of touchdown passes en route to the victory.
