The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a hard-fought loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills on Sunday as snow poured down in Highmark Stadium. The 39-34 slugfest saw a series of unfortunate events lead to a 21-point fourth quarter for the home team.
Any sort of momentum the Bengals have built in quarterback Joe Burrow’s return has been seized as the bad news continues to rain in.
In a Monday afternoon press conference, head coach Zac Taylor announced that the team has cut ties with 2024 third-round draft pick Jermaine Burton.
“The #Bengals are releasing WR Jermaine Burton, HC Zac Taylor says. Burton was suspended without pay for yesterday’s game,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo wrote in a post on X. “A third-round pick last year, Burton’s time in Cincinnati is over.”
Burton has had a rocky career in Cincinnati with mostly off-field issues. It seems the personality clash between the former Alabama Crimson Tide pass catcher and the head coach came to a head Saturday when Taylor announced Burton would not make the trip.
The suspension cost the receiver more than $59,000 in fines.
“We wish him the best,” Taylor said as he announced his release. “I think everybody worked really hard at it and wish him the best.”
Jermaine Burton Underperformed On The Football Field
Burton was a big-time performer during his college days.
His experience started at the University of Georgia, where he recorded nearly 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in his two years with the Bulldogs.
Burton then transferred to Alabama, where he played his junior and senior seasons. He recorded a career high of 40 receptions for 677 yards and seven touchdowns in year three, and followed that up with a career-high 798 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season.
This earned Burton the 80th overall selection in last year’s draft.
In his rookie season, Burton appeared in 14 games but was only able to make four catches on the season. He was targeted 14 times and ended the year with 107 yards.
He was unable to find the field in his second season with Cincinnati. Despite fans calling for the second-year receiver to see more playing time, Burton did not play a single snap in the 13 games prior to his release.
He was a healthy scratch on numerous occasions, and now the 24-year-old finds himself on the waiver wire.
I expect a team to quickly pick up the promising young talent, as many are optimistic that this fresh start will benefit both parties.
Burton has loads of talent, but it was clear that he was not a fit in Cincinnati’s locker room.
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