Cincinnati Bengals helmets rest on the field. Syndication The Enquirer
Joe Burrow is the human who puts butts in seats for the Cincinnati Bengals, but somehow the AFC North franchise now employs two former Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks behind him.
The latest is Trevor Siemian, the primary QB2 to Kirk Cousins five years ago.
The Bengals main Twitter account tweeted Wednesday, “We have signed free agent QB Trevor Siemian to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.”
Cincinnati represents seven NFL franchises in nine seasons for Siemian, who turned 31 around Christmas. Behind Burrow and in the same territory as Siemian, the Bengals also employ former Vikings quarterback Jake Browning.
In 2021, Siemian started four games for the New Orleans Saints as that organization navigated post-Drew Brees life and a season-ending injury to reclamation project Jameis Winston. Last year, Siemian landed with the Chicago Bears as a backup to the up-and-coming Justin Fields, along with Nathan Peterman. But his season was cut short on November 27th in warm-ups when Siemian injured his shoulder. He would’ve experienced playing time against the Vikings in Week 18, but Peterman and Tim Boyle took the reins instead.
Siemian, a journeyman, began his career as “Peyton Manning’s replacement” after the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 2015. Siemian even has ring hardware as Manning and the Broncos toppled the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Siemian departed Colorado, later becoming a backup quarterback for the Vikings, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, aforementioned Saints and Bears — and now Bengals.
He played for the Vikings in 2018, Kirk Cousins’ first year with the franchise. But Cousins never gets injured, so Siemian saw no regular season playing time. Siemian and Cousins also share the same agent.
Altogether, Siemian has thrown 42 touchdowns to 28 interceptions in 30 career starts. His teams are 13-17 (.433) on his watch, and he’s averaged 200.8 passing yards per game along the way.
Against the Bengals in 2016, Siemian sliced and diced Cincinnati for 312 passing yards and four touchdowns in a Broncos win, 29-17. Denver climbed to a nifty 4-0 start thereafter mere months after winning the Super Bowl, and that was really the last time it was any good or thought about sniffing the postseason.
Cincinnati now employs three former Vikings — Browning, Siemian, and tight end Irv Smith Jr.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.