The Cincinnati Bengals got off to a 2-0 start to the 2025 season. And then, of course, quarterback Joe Burrow went down for what felt like an eternity and the team was terrible. Then Joe Flacco showed up! And there was hope again!
But, not really. Burrow eventually did come back and things seemed okay-ish for a bit, but water sinks to its own level and the Bengals are the Bengals again after getting blanked by the visiting Baltimore Ravens 24-0 at home. The Bengals are now 4-10 and owners of a double-digit loss season and another playoff-less year in Cincinnati.
Burrow was asked why this team has failed to play complementary football this season.
“Because we haven’t been a good football team,” Burrow said after the game. “Bad football teams do losing things. If you’re wanting to compete for championships and be in the playoffs, then number one, your quarterback needs to play better than I did today.”
He went on to point the finger squarely at himself.
“When your quarterback plays like that, your team is not going to have a chance to win,” he continued. “I’m obviously disappointed in my play today, so I have to be better.”
Joe Burrow thinks he’s the biggest problem for the Bengals
There isn’t a single person on the planet that thinks Burrow is the main issue for the Bengals. Well, maybe there is one.
“I want everything on my plate,” Burrow said. “That’s the position I want to be in. I feel confident in all those guys in the locker room. Like I said, there’s not a team in the NFL that would’ve won the game today if I was the quarterback.
“This is a team effort at the end of the day. Players have to play better on the field. Today, it was me. I have to be better.”
He was then asked what it was that he could have done better.
“Everything,” he replied.
Burrow had a similar look in today’s press conference that he did for much of last year. In 2024, he was playing at an MVP level yet still looked like he was in a hostage video post game.
So, what was the problem today?
“They were getting good pressure,” he said. “Some uncharacteristic mental mistakes on my end, and some unforced errors.”
Joe Burrow says he still wants to play for the Bengals
The 2025 season has been lost for essentially quite some time for the Bengals. And this week, Burrow was asked about the toll losing takes on him mentally.
“Certainly doesn’t change my desire to win,” Burrow said. “If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not fun, what am I doing it for? That’s the mindset I’m trying to bring to the table.”
After the brutal loss to the Ravens on Sunday, Burrow was asked about those comments and whether or not he still wants to be in Cincy.
“My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati,” he said. “They had everything to do with me and my mindset, and football.”
That might be even worse. Maybe the Bengals have beaten the love of football out of Burrow. I mean, would you be surprised if that was the case? Carson Palmer years ago was ready to retire before playing for the Brown family ever again. Could Burrow be far behind?
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