To say Saturday was a roller coaster for Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning and his girlfriend, Stephanie Niles, is an understatement.
Moments after the Bengals sealed a thrilling comeback win over the Vikings at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, the 27-year-old quarterback was asked his initial thoughts following the 27-24 victory.
“I feel like I need a beer, but I’m right off of a cramping incident, so I’m probably going to pass on that. Yeah, that was a roller coaster,” said Browning, who went 29-for-42 and threw for 324 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Niles then joked about what she needed after a wild series of events.
“I’ll take something stronger plz,” Niles wrote in an Instagram Story.
Browning, starting in place of an injured Joe Burrow, orchestrated three fourth-quarter touchdown drives to tie the game at 24 a piece with less than a minute remaining.
He later hurled a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Tyler Boyd in overtime to help set up kicker Evan McPherson’s 29-yard field goal to win the game.
Once the dust settled, Niles — who has been dating Browning for more than five years — gave fans a peek at her “something stronger,” a martini.
This victory was extra sweet for Browning, who signed with the Vikings in 2019 as an undrafted free agent.
Though he spent time on the team’s practice squad, Minnesota waived Browning in 2021 before he joined Cincinnati’s practice squad in September of that year.
“I think, right after we made the field goal to win the game, I screamed at a camera and said, ‘They never should have cut me!'” Browning said postgame Saturday.
Browning’s victory lap wasn’t without an interesting request, however, as he appeared to receive a message informing him he was required to take a steroid test.
“This is Joe, DCO on behalf of the NFL. You’re on my list for a urine steroid test tomorrow,” the message read.
As for the Bengals, they’re currently the sixth seed in the AFC playoff race at 8-6.
They’ll visit the Steelers (7-7) on Christmas Eve next Sunday.
