Arkansas Football: See the hilarious way former Razorback QB found out he’s starting in place of Joe Burrow this week

Former Arkansas football player Brandon Allen doesn’t make headlines very often as a back-up quarterback in the NFL; however, he’s in the news this week.

The former Razorback, who was drafted in 2016, is in his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals. The quarterback serves as the primary back-up for former LSU Tiger Joe Burrow, now a star in the NFL.

Allen is making headlines because of the funny way he found out that he would be starting at quarterback this week at the Cleveland Browns in the regular season finale.

The Bengals have opted to rest starter Joe Burrow so as not to risk injury and give him some extra time to make a run in the NFL Playoffs.

How former Arkansas football player Brandon Allen found out he’s starting over Joe Burrow

Kelsey Conway, the Bengals beat reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer, found out that Joe Burrow tipped off Allen that he would be the starter this week.

Burrow sent a simple, three-word text to Allen saying “Tag, you’re in.”

That’s right, Allen didn’t find out from Head Coach Zac Taylor, the general manager, his agent or anyone else. He found out from Joe Burrow, saying “tag.”

Brandon Allen started in five games for the Bengals last season in place of an injured Burrow. He was 90 for 142 on passes for 925 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The serviceable back-up will be expected to out-duel a Baker Mayfield-less Browns team on the road.

If successful, the Bengals will finish with 11 wins in the regular season— their best since 2015 when they won 12 games.

Brandon Allen played for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2012-2015. He is second all-time on the Hogs’ list for best completion percentage  with a minimum of 100 attempts (.659), trailing only Kevin Scanlon (.662).