Bengals had interest in pair of Giants QBs before Joe Flacco trade

There is no doubt the Giants have put the rest of the league on notice after their runaway win over the Eagles a week ago.

However, even before their statement victory of the season, highlighted by Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, the Bengals had eyes on East Rutherford, New Jersey, as they were looking outside their organization for a signal caller to step in for Joe Burrow as he recovers from a turf toe injury over the next few months.

While Cincinnati ultimately decided on veteran Joe Flacco for the role, and has gone 1-1 since the trade on Oct. 7, the front office and coach Zac Taylor compiled a list of 13 potential quarterbacks, including Flacco, to join their team, as Sports Illustrated reported.

The other 12 included the Giants’ Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, along with Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Anthony Richardson, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, Stetson Bennett, Davis Mills, Tanner McKee and Josh Johnson.

The Bengals narrowed down the list to just five players, but it’s unknown who made the cut.

Yet, the Bengals attempted to sign Carr, the former Saints quarterback who shockingly retired this offseason due to a shoulder injury, but he declined.

The Giants may have been a likely dealer for the Bengals, especially after Wilson, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, was benched by coach Brian Daboll for Dart in Week 4. There was speculation the veteran could be on the way out, but Wilson insisted he wants to be in New York.

After Wilson, the Bengals considered Winston, the third-stringer who has little light at the end of the tunnel for some playing time this season, barring a big emergency.

The Giants (2-4) will continue to carry all three quarterbacks with them as they travel to Denver for their Week 7 matchup against the Broncos on Sunday.