The Bengals’ Super Bowl hopes took a hit after Joe Burrow sustained a strained calf in his right leg during practice Thursday. Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor told reporters Friday afternoon that he expects his starting quarterback to be sidelined “several weeks.”

The Bengals do have a handful of decent backup plans if Burrow is forced to miss regular-season games. The QB trade market might expand if they’re willing to part with a high draft pick.

The free-agent list might be thin, but there are three first-round quarterbacks available with lots of starting experience. Cincinnati could also place a few calls to some notable signal-callers who might not be retired, after all.

Here are backup quarterback options for the Bengals if they decide not to stick with current backups Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning.

Trade options

Andy Dalton, Panthers: Dalton’s return to Cincinnati would generate some hope among the fan base and lots of heartwarming features regarding his nine seasons with the Bengals from 2011 to ’19.

But Dalton can also play—he’s the No. 1 QB on our backup rankings for the 2023 season. And it would be fun to watch what he could do with this offense, featuring Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A Dalton-led offense won’t strike fear among the top teams in the AFC, but it could keep the Bengals afloat and in striking distance for a wild-card spot.

But trading for Dalton might be costly, and he might not be worth the trouble compared to the other quarterbacks listed here. Why would the Panthers trade their premium QB insurance and Bryce Young’s mentor for his rookie season for a low draft pick?

Sam Darnold, 49ers: Judging from Kyle Shanahan’s recent rave review regarding Darnold, he, too, might be an expensive trade option.

Shanahan told the San Francisco Chronicle that Darnold could be on a similar career path as Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, who took a few years to develop into an MVP and Super Bowl winner. That, of course, drew many snickers on social media, because Darnold had rough stints with the Jets and Panthers.

And Darnold, the 2018 No. 3 pick, might not be available if Shanahan believes in him that much. The 49ers probably have Brock Purdy and Darnold as the top two QBs on their depth chart, leaving another No. 3 pick available for the Bengals.

Trey Lance, 49ers: There were reports in the offseason that Lance was on the trading block, with the Vikings potentially being a possible destination if they were willing to part with Kirk Cousins. And it also doesn’t bode well for Lance that Shanahan might have preferred Mac Jones in the 2021 draft, if reports were true.

The 49ers gave up a lot of draft capital to move up and select Lance. This is an opportunity for the organization to get some draft picks for a quarterback who might not be in their long-term plans with the emergence of Purdy last season. Lance has started only nfour games since entering the league two years ago.

Gardner Minshew, Colts: Minshew is a quality quarterback who has had success in the league, notably during his rookie season in 2019 with the Jaguars. He also played well in two games as the starter for the Eagles last season.

But similar to the Dalton and Panthers scenario, why would the Colts trade away their top backup and someone who could assist Anthony Richardson during his rookie season? Perhaps Minshew won’t be as costly because the Panthers have a strong chance at winning the NFC South. It’s tough seeing the Colts beating the Jaguars in the AFC South.

With this possibly being a rebuilding season in Indy, might as well get a few draft picks out of Cincinnati for Minshew

Matthew Stafford, Rams: If Stafford is fully healed from the injuries he sustained last season, he’s probably the Bengals’ best option at remaining a Super Bowl contender without Burrow.

The Rams won’t admit it, but this is a rebuilding season in L.A. with several young players surrounding Stafford, Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp. There are also reports that the Rams might have shopped Stafford this offseason.

If the Bengals offer a first- or second-round pick and take on most of Stafford’s remaining contract, the Rams would probably do the trade in a heartbeat. More draft picks means more trade chips to move up in the draft next year, which will probably feature Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Marvin Harrison Jr.