Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals seemed like they had been nicely on their approach to being perennial Super Bowl contenders, however that hasn’t been the case.
Cincinnati chosen Burrow first total within the 2020 NFL Draft, and in his second yr, he led the workforce to a Super Bowl berth, however the Bengals misplaced to the Los Angeles Rams. The following yr, Cincinnati reached the AFC Championship Game, however misplaced to the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Despite Burrow and the Bengals not successful the Super Bowl, many felt like they had been shut. However, since that AFC Championship loss within the 2022 NFL season, Cincinnati hasn’t made the playoffs since.
The Bengals have missed the playoffs in three straight years as accidents have hindered Burrow. Yet, forward of the 2026 NFL season, the franchise quarterback claims this yr’s Bengals workforce feels just like the 2019 LSU Tigers workforce that dominated school soccer and gained the nationwide championship, which was led by Burrow at quarterback.
“You go back and watch what I said before the 2019 season at LSU,” Burrow said on June 17. “I feel very similarly about this team. I’m so excited to get started and get moving. I wish we ramped this right into training camp so we can continue to improve. I feel like there’s so much greatness we’ll be able to achieve this year that I’m just excited to get going.”
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It’s a daring remark from Burrow, which is able to solely add extra stress to the Bengals’ season. The 2019 LSU Tigers soccer workforce is broadly thought of to be considered one of, if not the best, school soccer groups ever.
So, by Burrow saying this yr’s Cincinnati workforce reminds him of that, it places sky-high expectations on the workforce, as now it is Super Bowl or bust for Burrow and the Bengals.
If Burrow can keep wholesome, Cincinnati does have the expertise to be an actual risk within the AFC. However, oddsmakers do not imagine in Burrow’s confidence, because the Bengals are tied for the Twelfth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +2000, and Cincinnati is not even favored to win the AFC North.
Joe Burrow Wanted To Put Expectations On Bengals
Although Burrow’s feedback evaluating Cincinnati to the 2019 LSU workforce that gained all of it will add stress to the Bengals, that’s what the quarterback wished.
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After lacking the playoffs in three straight seasons, Burrow mentioned his remark will hopefully gasoline the workforce now that there are lofty expectations on them.
“Put pressure on guys,” Burrow mentioned. “I love it. I thrive in it. We’ll find out who else does. I know we have the kind of people who want to be in that spot. I want everybody talking about the Bengals. I want everybody talking about what I’m saying in my press conferences.”
Bengals govt vp Katie Blackburn additionally agrees with Burrow, as she believes this workforce has all of the instruments to win the Super Bowl.
“If we can keep key guys out there on the field,” Blackburn said, “I think we have a real shot to do really well.”
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The Bengals went out and traded for Dexter Lawrence to bolster their protection, which was a serious difficulty final season.
Cincinnati will open its 2026 NFL season on Sept. 13 at residence in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Related: The Cincinnati Bengals’ 5 Worst Draft Picks in the Last 10 Years
This story was initially revealed by Lindys Sports on Jun 20, 2026, the place it first appeared within the NFL part. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.