The Cincinnati Bengals have four quarterbacks on the roster. Among them is arguably the best backup in the NFL, along with one of the most well-traveled arms. It would be understandable if they felt a way about what another QB had to say over the weekend.
Over the weekend, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis made some waves, saying that there are not 32 QB’s in the NFL better than he is. Well, we can name at least two who are. And they are both named Joe.
In fact, like a disappointing hand in spades, the Bengals have two and a possible when it comes to QB’s better than Levis.
Levis stuck in a 3-way battle for 1 spot
Levis could be correct in saying that there are not 32 QB’s better than he is. And he is referring to other starting quarterbacks around the NFL. However, his own team could disagree.
We all know that the best 3-ways reside at Skyline Chili. And the best among those is in Clifton. Regardless, Levis is stuck in a 3-way battle for the backup role in Tennessee with Mitch Trubisky and Hendon Hooker.
Nevertheless, that does not mean that Levis might not be better than his camp competition. Nor does that mean he is a starting quarterback for teams such as the Steelers, Browns, or Falcons.
In a way, Levis is correct. There might not be 32 quarterbacks in the NFL better than he is. That number could be anywhere between 31 and 40. Pendanticism aside, there may be two on his own roster who, at least from the Titans’ perspective, are better.
For sure, there are no less than two QBs better than he is on the Bengals roster.
Billy Jeans not talking about Big Joker Burrow Flacco
When Levis said, “There are not 32 quarterbacks better than me. I know that for sure,” he could be correct. However, the Bengals definitely have one backup, Joe Flacco, who also believes there aren’t 32 starting quarterbacks better than he is.
We will save time and assume as a fact that Levis did not have Big Joker Joe Burrow in mind when he made that statement.
It is not fair to compare Flacco’s career with Levis’. We will look at the last time each of them took significant snaps.
Flacco appeared in 13 games in 2025. He played in four games for the Cleveland Browns before the Bengals traded for him in the wake of an injury to Joe Burrow. Flacco would go on to appear in nine games for Cincinnati.
In those games for the Men in Stripes, Flacco threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, with a 91.0 passer rating. One of which included a 471-yard passing and four-touchdown performance against the Chicago Bears.
And he showed incredible heart in doing so, fighting through an excruciatingly painful AC joint injury to his throwing shoulder.
In 2024, his last season as a starter, Levis played 12 games, throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and an 81.4 passer rating.
Based on last season alone, you will not find too many who would take their backup QB over Flacco. The Titans included.
Josh Johnson is not getting run off this table
One name that we can guarantee did not factor into Levis’ equation is Josh Johnson.
Levis has an edge in a couple of critical categories over Johnson, Cincinnati’s third QB on their depth chart. Not only is Levis almost 15 years younger than Johnson, but Levis also has the arm strength that the Bengals’ number three has never been known for.
However, in his five appearances, two starts last season with the Washington Commanders, Johnson posted a respectable 63% completion rate, 55.6 QBR, and 74.0 passer rating.
In those same categories, Levis in 2024 registered a 63.1 completion percentage, 25.2 QBR, and an 81.4 passer rating.
Given age, arm strength, and draft status, most NFL observers would give the advantage to Levis over Johnson. However, some advanced stats suggest the gap is close enough that the decision isn't overwhelmingly obvious.
Add Levis’ injury that kept him out of the 2025 season, and the gap closes even further for some.
Flacco cuts several backup QB lists while Levis struggles for books
Recently, several lists have ranked QB rooms and backup quarterback situations. On each of those lists, Flacco is at or near the top, while Levis and Johnson are left wondering where exactly they fall in the minds of those list-makers.
CBS Sports ranks Flacco as the third-best No. 2 behind Mac Jones and the first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
Also, CBS Sports ranks the Bengals second among the best QB situations, thanks in significant part to what Flacco brings as the second signal-caller in Cincinnati.
Levis did get top-10 status from Bleacher Report. However, looking at some of the names, such as Dillon Gabriel and Anthony Richardson, it is easier to understand how he came to believe he is better than some of his brethren. Levis ranked tenth, whereas Flacco came in second in that exercise.
Levis is still in the game...but has a lot to prove as Titans' QB3
While Cincinnati has at least two QBs who are better than Levis, that does not mean they, or any other team conducting their due diligence, will not have an eye on the Titans' goings-on.
Who would have thought that the Bengals would have traded for Cleveland’s starting QB six games into the season? This time around the sun, there could be a desperate team that needs Flacco as much, or more than the Bengals needed him last year.
If a team makes an offer for Flacco’s services due to one of the best 32 QBs being unable to play for any reason, the Bengals should listen. And in that hypothetical, they should be ready to make a corresponding move, such as picking up someone like Levis or another capable QB.
But if that hypothetical does not happen, then there is no universe in which Cincinnati would consider Levis on the same playing field as Flacco, at least, for the time being.
With his confident statement from his press conference, the former second-rounder could see that his time with the Titans is coming to an end and is reminding the other 31 clubs that he is still around.
If Levis plays his cards right, he might find himself as a starter on a QB-needy team at some point in 2026. However, do not expect the Bengals to consider him to be a better option than Flacco. Or maybe even Josh Johnson.
Add us as a preferred source on Google