The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly had interest in Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, before the team traded for Joe Flacco.
Breer reported that the Bengals had put together a shortlist of “quarterbacks that could be upgrades” over the then-starter Jake Browning following the team’s blowout loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 5. Garoppolo and Bennett were among the quarterbacks the Bengals were looking at.
After being blown out at home by the Lions in Week 5, Taylor and his offensive coaches sat down to discuss a bucket of quarterbacks that could be upgrades—guys who were good No. 2s behind strong No. 1s, No. 3s with some experience, or young guys with promise. On the list, culled by Duke Tobin and the personnel department were Stetson Bennett, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Tommy DeVito, Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh Johnson, Drew Lock, Tanner McKee, Davis Mills, Anthony Richardson, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
It’s unclear if the Bengals ever contacted the Rams about their two backups, or if the Rams would even pick up the phone to discuss a deal.
Garoppolo is obviously the more valuable player given his ample starting experience, but that also means he’s more valuable for L.A. because of his ability to maintain offensive continuity if Matthew Stafford were to miss time. Bennett would have been an interesting move for the Bengals because he has no regular-season experience but a lot of preseason production in recent years.
Both quarterbacks remain on the roster for now, and it’s unlikely either get traded ahead of the deadline.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Report: Garoppolo, Bennett were on Bengals’ QB trade shortlist
