Cincinnati Bengals Beat: Joe Burrow’s Next Steps

It’s hard to believe, but Joe Burrow enters year six as the Cincinnati Bengals’ signal-caller. During this time, he’s experienced many trials and tribulations and varying stages of success. If 2024 seemed to wear on him, you wouldn’t know it by hearing him speak this week for the first time since the end of last season. Burrow was jovial, refreshed, and eager to get the orange and black back to the top of the division and the entire AFC. Let’s dig deeper into the next steps for the most important player in all of Bengaldom.

Cincinnati Bengals Beat: Joe Burrow’s Next Steps

Better Man

Burrow posted absurd numbers last season, only to end in another disappointing 9-8 finish and playoff omission.  He would culminate year five with an NFL-leading 4918 yards passing with 43 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions and a passer rating of 108.5. Even with these gaudy numbers, Burrow knows more can be done to help the Bengals win games. In his press conference this week, QB1 stated, “If I had played even better, we wouldn’t have been in that spot that we were in. I just focus on getting better myself, and I feel like everyone in the locker room feels the same way. If I go out there and play better than I did last year, then it doesn’t matter what goes on anywhere else.”

The coaches and front office likely believe this, but also know Burrow needs more help, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Enter new defensive coordinator Al Golden and DL coach Jerry Montgomery, who are working to overhaul a unit that was abysmal last season. If the defense is just average, this could take Cincinnati to places it hasn’t been in several years.

MVP Worthy

Burrow has mentioned it briefly, but winning an MVP is certainly on his mind after seeing Lamar Jackson win it multiple times, and last year, with Josh Allen taking home the award. Although Burrow has two Pro Bowls and two Comeback Player of the Year selections, deep down, he wants to prove to the rest of the league he’s the best quarterback in the NFL. Time will only tell if this roster is up to the task to give him more help so he can shine brightest to get the praise he deserves.

Supersize Dreams

The franchise has been agonizingly close to a Super Bowl victory three times since its inception in 1968. Burrow wants to change that and be the reason the men in stripes finally get over the hump and hoist their first Lombardi Trophy. With OTAs and training camp around the corner, the work for head coach Zac Taylor is just beginning. He and the entire city of Cincinnati hope it ends in a place they’ve only dreamed of.