Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Who Are QBs Mike White and Sean Clifford, the Newest Additions to the Bengals’ QB Depth Chart?

Bengals add Mike White and Sean Clifford to stabilize the QB depth chart. But who are they?

Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback room has been shaken up once again. With Joe Burrow sidelined due to a turf toe injury that could keep him out for up to three months, the Bengals are scrambling for stability under center. Ian Rapoport reports that Brett Rypien has been elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, while ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that free agents Mike White and Sean Clifford have been added to the practice squad.

With Jake Browning expected to start, fresh off a 241-yard, two-touchdown outing against Jacksonville, and Rypien slotting in as the experienced backup, the Bengals have a patchwork but serviceable QB room. Now, Mike White and Sean Clifford join the mix on the practice squad, becoming the newest names in Cincinnati’s search for depth. Let’s explore who they are and what they bring to the table.

Brett Rypien, who had been on the #Bengals practice squad, is being signed to the 53-man roster, source says. That puts him in line to be the backup to Jake Browning. https://t.co/EGMIrsUHnZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2025

Who Is Mike White, the Season Campaigner Added by the Bengals in Their QB Depth Chart?

Mike White, 30, comes to Cincinnati with something Sean Clifford doesn’t yet possess: NFL experience. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, White didn’t see the field until 2021 when he shocked the league in his very first start. Against none other than the Bengals, White completed 37 of 45 passes for 405 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, leading the New York Jets to a stunning upset victory.

Over his career, White has completed 61.4% of his passes for 2,247 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in a 2-5 starting record. Cincinnati marks his fifth NFL stop, having recently spent time with the Buffalo Bills earlier this offseason. While he’s never cemented himself as a long-term starter, White has shown brilliant upside with composure and big-game ability, qualities that the Bengals might need.

With Joe Burrow sidelined a minimum of three months, the Bengals are signing former Packers QB Sean Clifford and former Bills QB Mike White to their practice squad, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/4KwnhqQS6D
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 16, 2025

Mike White’s College Career and Stats

White carved out a solid college career. He began at the University of South Florida in 2013 before transferring to Western Kentucky in 2014. From 2015 to 2017, White made 42 starts in 44 total games, throwing for 11,262 yards with 74 touchdowns and 31 interceptions on 863 completions out of 1,393 attempts. His cannon arm and pocket presence at Western Kentucky made him an intriguing prospect.

Who Is Sean Clifford, the Cincinnati Native With Upside in the Bengals’ QB Depth Chart?

Sean Clifford’s journey feels like a full-circle moment. Born in Cincinnati, Clifford returns to his hometown as part of the Bengals’ practice squad after a short stint with the Green Bay Packers. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Clifford never attempted a regular-season pass for the Packers and was waived at the end of the 2025 preseason.

Though untested at the pro level, Clifford has plenty of reps under his belt from his college days. His leadership and durability at Penn State gave him a reputation as a reliable starter. This could translate well if Cincinnati needs to dip deeper into its quarterback reserves.

With Joe Burrow sidelined a minimum of three months, the Bengals are signing former Packers QB Sean Clifford to their practice squad, per source. pic.twitter.com/4pK2AI99pn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2025

Sean Clifford’s College Career and Stats

Clifford spent six years at Penn State from 2017 to 2022, redshirting his first season before taking over as starter in 2019. Across 51 career games (46 starts), he posted a 32-14 record while completing 833 of 1,356 passes for 10,661 yards, 86 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions. His best campaign came in 2021, when he started 13 games and threw for 3,107 yards with 21 touchdowns. Clifford’s consistency and leadership helped Penn State remain competitive in the Big Ten.

Bengals QBs, minus Joe Burrow:

🏈Jake Browning
🏈Brett Rypien
🏈Sean Clifford
🏈Mike White
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2025

The Bengals are banking on depth, not stardom, as they navigate life without Joe Burrow. With Browning starting, Rypien backing him up, and White and Clifford in the wings, Cincinnati is stacking options. Whether either of these new faces makes an impact remains to be seen, but for a team in desperate need of stability, having fresh arms in the building can only help.

Mandatory Image Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.