Joe Burrow isn’t just talking about a comeback—he’s seeing the pieces fall into place. After a rocky stretch that saw the Cincinnati Bengals miss the playoffs in back-to-back years, the franchise quarterback is genuinely fired up about the team’s direction this offseason.
In a candid chat with Vanity Fair, Burrow opened up about the moves the front office made, specifically the acquisitions of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, defensive back Bryan Cook, and offensive lineman Jacob Bayer. “I’m really excited about the moves we made this offseason,” Burrow said. “We need to get better, so it was exciting to see the initiative from everybody in the organization to realize that we’re in this exciting stage. We’re in our primes playing great football.”
The Bengals have been a tale of two eras. From 2021 to 2022, they were a powerhouse—back-to-back AFC championship game appearances, including a Super Bowl run. But the last three years? A disappointing 24-27 record, largely due to a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league and Burrow’s own injury battles. In 2025 alone, he missed nine games, and the team went 5-11 without him.
Burrow’s excitement isn’t just hype. He sees the new talent as the missing link. “Finding guys like Dexter and Bryan Cook and Bayer, to really solidify that defense so the young guys can also kind of rise up,” he explained. “We’re really going to try to achieve what we want to achieve.”
The defense was a glaring issue last season, allowing a franchise-record 492 points. Even though the offense scored over 400 points, the Bengals still posted a negative point differential—a stat that screams “fix me.” Enter Lawrence, a two-time Pro Bowler who can collapse pockets and eat double teams. Cook brings versatility in the secondary, and Bayer adds depth to an offensive line that’s been a work in progress.
Of course, none of this matters if Burrow isn’t on the field. Since 2023, he’s missed 16 games, and the Bengals are 19-16 when he plays versus 5-11 without him. The margin for error is razor-thin, and the pressure is mounting. Some have even wondered if Burrow’s time in Cincinnati is ticking as draft week fuels speculation about the team’s long-term plans.
But for now, Burrow is all-in. He’s been spotted enjoying the spotlight off the field—like his recent date with SI model Olivia Ponton—but his focus remains on football. The Bengals are considered a sleeper to make the playoffs if Burrow stays healthy and the defense improves even modestly. With the division still up for grabs, Cincinnati could be a dark horse in the AFC.
Burrow’s message is clear: the window isn’t closing—it’s opening. “We’re in our primes,” he said. And with these additions, he believes the Bengals can finally get back to the big stage.
