Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow clarified his recent comments regarding his career following a disappointing 24-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on December 10, 2023. In the lead-up to the game, Burrow mentioned the importance of having fun while playing, prompting speculation about his commitment to the Bengals, the team that selected him as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow, however, firmly dismissed these concerns, stating, “My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati. My comments had everything to do with me and my mindset and football.”
The defeat against the Ravens marked the Bengals’ third consecutive year without a playoff berth, deepening the scrutiny surrounding the team’s performance. Burrow was particularly hard on himself in the aftermath of the game, admitting, “I think this is one of the worst games that I’ve played.” He completed 25 of 39 passes for 225 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Baltimore.
Reflecting on the game, Burrow recognized that his previous performance against the Buffalo Bills, where he felt he played “pretty close to perfect,” was not matched in this outing. He emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “If you’re wanting to compete for championships and be in the playoffs, then number one, your quarterback has to play better than I did today.”
Despite a promising start with an 11-play drive, the Bengals struggled to make any significant impact throughout the game. A costly 15-yard sack on Burrow early in the first quarter pushed the team out of field goal range, and their inability to score in the first three quarters marked a troubling trend, as this was the fourth time this season they failed to find the end zone during that period.
As the game progressed and the temperature hovered around 10 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of minus 1, many fans left the stadium, unable to endure the cold as well as the disappointment. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor took responsibility for the team’s first home shutout since 2017, while also attributing the loss to the collective failures of the offense. Burrow, seeking to share the weight of the loss, stated, “Bad football teams do losing things.”
Teammates expressed belief that Burrow was being too critical of himself. Orlando Brown Jr., left tackle for the Bengals, highlighted Burrow’s leadership, saying, “He is our engine, our source of energy. It’s tough because reality is, it isn’t just all on him.”
This loss also marked a significant moment in the Bengals’ season, as it confirmed their elimination from playoff contention earlier than in previous years. The last time Cincinnati faced such an early exit was in 2020, a season that ended with Burrow suffering a serious knee injury.
Looking ahead, Burrow remains optimistic that Sunday’s performance is an outlier and not reflective of his capabilities. He has previously been recognized as an MVP finalist and a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Teammate Ja’Marr Chase noted Burrow’s dedication to the game, saying, “He just loves the game. He just wants to be great at the end of the day.” Chase added that he would ensure Burrow does not dwell on one poor performance.
Burrow’s resolve to improve and his commitment to the Bengals will be crucial as the team seeks to bounce back from this challenging season.
