10:10pm: When speaking to the media after today’s shutout loss, Burrow confirmed (via Dehner) his recent comments were tied to “football” rather than “Cincinnati” specifically. Burrow reiterated his belief in the organization – one which has now officially been eliminated from the playoffs for the third year in a row – to make the needed improvements during the offseason.
10:56am: In Week 13, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned from injured reserve much earlier than originally expected and led his club to a victory over the division-rival Ravens, thus keeping Cincinnati’s slim playoff hopes alive. A week later, he threw an interception in consecutive fourth-quarter possessions – one of them a pick-six – in a heartbreaking loss to the Bills.
The defeat all but eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention, and during a press conference on Wednesday, a typically-contemplative Burrow offered a few comments that raised eyebrows about his future in the league (or at least in Cincinnati).
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this,” Burrow said (via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic (subscription required)). “I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? That is the mindset I am trying to bring to the table.”
When asked what was bothering him, Burrow said, “[t]here are just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on.”
He was then asked if he was referring to personal or football matters, and he succinctly replied, “all of the above.”
The presser took place on Burrow’s 29th birthday, which is the same age that Andrew Luck was when he suddenly announced his retirement in 2019. However, multiple reporters subsequently made it clear Burrow is not considering that route, nor does he want to leave the Bengals (he is currently under contract through 2029).
One source told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that the retirement/trade demand speculation that grew out of Burrow’s comments was “blown out” of proportion and simply “crazy.”
“He was emotional on his birthday and pissed that for as much as he’s worked, he’s still not able to win,” the source said. “That’s all he wants to do. … If he cannot win he’s miserable.”
Burrow has missed significant time due to injury in three of his six professional seasons, and though fully-healthy campaigns in 2021 and 2022 led to a Super Bowl appearance and a run to the AFC Championship game, respectively, Cincinnati is on track to miss the playoff field for the third straight year. It would not be surprising if the health woes and the on-field losses have taken a mental toll.
Even if that’s the case, Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) hears that the two-time Pro Bowl passer has not so much as hinted at retirement, nor does he want out of Cincinnati. Although he previously has expressed frustration with some aspects of the franchise’s operation – such as the fact that the Bengals employ the NFL’s smallest coaching and scouting staffs – those concerns were not behind his Wednesday remarks.
A source close to Burrow said, “[w]hen was the last time Joe made two mistakes to lose a game for any team he’s been on? He knows he has to be perfect for this team to win, and he wasn’t perfect.”
Another source familiar with Burrow’s thinking said, “[e]veryone is being a little dramatic. This isn’t mental health, this isn’t depression, this is ‘I want to win.'”
Jones reports that, the Bengals’ history with unhappy players like QB Carson Palmer notwithstanding, there is no panic within the organization about Burrow’s future in the Queen City. Team sources tell ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Burrow had an excellent week of practice, and they believe he wants to be there. Even so, ESPN colleague Adam Schefter said on his podcast that rival clubs did take note of Burrow’s words.
“I could tell you this: other teams in the league took notice of [Burrow’s presser],” Schefter said (h/t Charlie Baduini of The Sporting News). “I could tell you that for a fact, I know that because I was texting with some of them.”
Most teams in the league would be interested in acquiring Burrow if he were to become available. At the moment, however, it seems the former Heisman Trophy winner and CFP national champion was merely expressing his frustrations over another lost season in the pros and will remain in tiger stripes for the long haul.
Indeed, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has seen no change in, or negativity from, his longtime friend and teammate, per ESPN’s Ben Baby. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) echoed the Jones and Russini reports and said Burrow’s comments stemmed solely from his frustration with on-field results.
Grass is green
Yeah, but only on the other side of the fence.
who figured he might retire?
Retirement? That little word is so overrated! Not that many would give up the big bucks Burrow is making, no way!
Lol
Raiders.
Lol
I think his two comeback player of the year awards are almost funnier than talk of retirement. He’ll win another one of those awards next year, but I think they should only go to player who played less than 3 games the year before winning it.
Is he even eligible to win the award? I mean he already came back in 2025
Yeah, I forgot about that. Rivers has shot to get it now after being out 5 years. LOL
Dude just can’t stay healthy. When he’s good, he’s better than Allen and Mahomes.
Bigger lol
No, not even close
He wanted 2 wrs to be paid. No oline or defense when that is how the money gets spent.
Flacco didn’t get sacked as much as he does w/ the same O line.
The big story around the NFL is coming from GEHA Field at Arrowhead … where the Kansas City Chiefs will MISS THE PLAYOFFS!
Best news all day
Why is this big news, anyone with a scintilla of football savvy saw this coming after the beat down given to this chiefs team at the hands of the super bowl champion birds.
That Philly-KC game was back in September. There was a scenario where Kansas City would be eliminated in Week 15:
Buffalo win + Houston win + Jacksonville win + Kansas City loss.
Bills came back from 0-21 down to win at New England. Texans and Jaguars won their games with ease. Chiefs were driving for the winning TD, Mahomes injured his knee, Minshew came in and threw an INT to Derwin James. Net-net: Kansas City ELIMINATED!
The only people crying are the starf#&kers in the National Sportsball Media and their fellow travelers, all of whom want only brand name teams in the playoffs every year.
Well, now it’s Taylor’s turn to cry, Taylor’s turn to cry, Taylor’s turn to cry-ahy-ahy-ahyyy …
+1 for using scintilla in a sentence.
Also approve of “scintilla.” However, I don’t think a 3-point loss counts as a “beatdown” and I don’t seem to recall anyone doubting the Chiefs would make the postseason back in September
Joe is only seeking media attention. The new Aaron Rodgers ‘Look at me!!!’.
Playing for Cincinnati would make anyone want to retire….. I hope he retires and goes on to greater things outside of football….
it’s the bungals .. so I get burrow’s frustration.. going to say all the “right things” for now .. but he’s laying the groundwork for his exit strategy
Burrow just needs to settle down and have some kids. That would force him to stop constantly thinking about himself and what he wants to do.
He can play but can his body make it to eight seasons? How will Mahomes respond to his first major injury?