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Bengals Under Fire For Making QB Move After NFL Draft
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- Bengals Under Fire For Making QB Move After NFL Draft
Last season, Auburn football went 5-7, failing to make a bowl game for the second time in three seasons. 2024 marked the first time since the late 1990s that the Auburn Tigers did not make at least two bowl games in three seasons.
In the past two seasons, Auburn is 11-14, with the Tigers unable to place inside the top 70 regarding points per game either year. Michigan State Spartans transfer quarterback Payton Thorne led the offense from 2023 to 2024 following a 19-touchdown, 11-interception campaign.
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Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
Thorne's production took a massive hit in 2023, his first with Auburn, before posting a career-best 150.8 rating last year. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals added Thorne as an unrestricted free agent on Saturday.
Thorne will join a Cincinnati quarterback room led by mega-star passer Joe Burrow . Alongside Burrow and Thorne will be Logan Woodside and Jake Browning .
Thorne did not get drafted after his five-year college career. He tallied 2,713 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine picks with Auburn football in 2024. the passer also ran for 283 yards and three scores. He had just 11 touchdowns against five picks in eight SEC games, with his lack of production leaving a bad taste in the mouth of the Auburn faithful.
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With him joining Cincinnati over the weekend, many Auburn diehards put Thorne in their crosshairs, especially after another lackluster season from the offense.
"Cincy playing chess, not checkers. Start Thorne next season and you clinch the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Genius move," said one fan with the Bengals adding Thorne.
"He's y'alls problem now, Cincy. Good luck," exclaimed another.
One fan went as far as saying , "Haven't the Bengals suffered enough?"
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Another fan actually applauded Thorne, saying , "One thing I will always be thankful to Payton Thorne for is helping uncover the worst of the Auburn fanbase. Much easier to get rid of them that way."
Related: SEC Powerhouse Has Worst NFL Draft Class in 30 Years
