When Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow took the podium at Paycor Stadium during the final week of the 2025 season, the 29-year-old quarterback made it clear that he expected change.
“We don’t want to be in the spot we are in now, so something’s got to change,” Burrow said on Dec. 31.
The Bengals granted Burrow his wish.
Change across the board ensued for the Bengals this offseason. The franchise traded away their first-round NFL draft pick for the first time in franchise history to acquire three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The Bengals also went heavy on defensive spending in free agency, showing a change in philosophy from years past. Burrow was watching from afar and was less involved than ever before. Because after three seasons of missing the playoffs, Burrow said it was pretty obvious what needed to occur in the offseason.
The Bengals needed more talent on defense, and they went out and got it.
“I just think we know where we needed to be better, and we went out and aggressively made it happen,” Burrow said on May 20. “We filled some holes that we had from years past, got better at a lot of positions. Signed the best free-agent safety. Got the best D tackle in the league, in my opinion. We have a lot of depth now on the defensive line. That’s exciting. So, we have everything we need in that locker room. We just have to go make it happen.”
Following a tumultuous season that resulted in Burrow missing nine games due to a serious toe injury. He underwent surgery for the third time in six seasons.
Burrow’s happiness in Cincinnati was a key talking point for NFL pundits following the season. In fact, there was even a specific report from popular radio talk show host Dan Patrick stating Burrow was calling the shots and gave the team an ultimatum.
“I was told Joe Burrow is the one calling the shots in Cincinnati,” Patrick said. “From what I’m told, Joe Burrow said to management, ‘you gotta do something defensively or I’m out of here.’ I was told this morning by a source, who said that Joe has given them an ultimatum.”
Burrow denied that he gave Bengals ownership an ultimatum. He said he was actually less involved than he’s ever been. The Bengals’ top leaders and Burrow remained in communication as they usually do, but they didn’t meet in person following the season like they’ve done in years past.
“There’s no secret that the last several years didn’t go the way we wanted to, and there’s a lot of blame to go around for that, myself included,” Burrow said. “And so, we’re in a great spot this year. We brought in great people and great players. You can feel the vibes of the locker room.”
After signing wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to contract extensions, the pressure was at an all-time high ahead of the 2025 season. Cincinnati has three of the best offensive players in the NFL on its roster in their prime.
The expectation for the Bengals with Burrow, Chase and Higgins is chasing Super Bowls, not sitting on the couch in January. The lack of productivity from recent draft picks − and bargain shopping in free agency at positions of need like safety for the past few years − caused angst within the passionate fan base.
Fans and media outlets clamored for more of a sense of urgency from the Bengals’ front office and ownership.
Burrow took note.
“The front office has taken a lot of heat from the fans, the public, the media,” he said. “We can put all of that behind us. They went and made it happen with free agency. I thought the draft, obviously we’ll find out. And then obviously with Dexter, making a trade like that, that doesn’t happen a ton in the NFL. So, it’s exciting to see.”
The Bengals return one of the NFL’s best passing attacks. All of Burrow’s favorite targets are back, and the team has all five starting offensive linemen from the 2025 season back for at least one more season.
Cincinnati’s offense should be among the league’s top units once again. And on defense, the unit should be improved simply based on the new talent acquired. Defensive coordinator Al Golden will also be in his second season, and there’s an added level of comfort for everyone on that side of the ball.
As Burrow said, the Bengals have “everything (they) need” to contend for a Super Bowl once again.
It will be up to the players to make it happen and only time will tell if it does. But Burrow is energized and optimistic, heading into his seventh season in the NFL. That in itself is important.
“I’m fired up about the people that we brought in,” Burrow said. “I’m fired up about the mindset guys are bringing on the daily. I’m fired up about the energy everybody is bringing in the weight room and conditioning in practice. Obviously, not going against each other yet, but when OTAs (organized team activities) start, I’m excited to get some competition going. We have a lot of work to get done before July, before September. I love where we’re at right now.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow says Bengals have ‘everything we need’ to contend again
Reporting by Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
