The Cincinnati Bengals 2024 season was an abject disaster. In arguably the best season of star quarterback Joe Burrow’s career, where Burrow finished in the top five of MVP voting, the Bengals missed the playoffs.
Cincinnati finished the year strong, but the five-game win streak to end the regular season wasn’t enough to overcome the Bengals’ slow start.
Hanging over the Bengals’ entire season was the reality that it’d be difficult for a franchise with Cincinnati’s reputation for saving dollars to bring back both of Burrow’s top two targets, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Now that the offseason has officially arrived for the Bengals, Burrow is sending a message to the front office about what needs to be done to help ensure another season like 2024 doesn’t happen.
“I don’t know what more he could show and do to prove himself. We have several guys like that, who have stepped up for us, and deserve to be paid—deserve to be paid what they’re worth,” Burrow said in an appearance on ESPN, per NFL insider Albert Breer.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow on ESPN on Ja’Marr Chase’s upcoming contract negotiation: “I don’t know what more he could show and do to prove himself. We have several guys like that, who have stepped up for us, and deserve to be paid—deserve to be paid what they’re worth.”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 31, 2025
Fans reacted to Burrow’s statement on social media.
“Does Joe understand how the salary cap works? He’s eating up a large chunk of it. That’s fine. He’s one of the top QBs in the NFL. But a byproduct of a contract like his is there’s less money left to go around for other players. They can’t ALL get paid,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Joe wouldn’t have to say the things he’s saying if the team knew how to run the franchise at championship level,” another fan added.
“Keep stomping Joe. Don’t let them breathe til they pony up the cash,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if Burrow’s bold strategy pays off.
