The Bengals today waived WR Jermaine Burton.

https://www.bengals.com/news/jermaine-burton-waived-roster-update?fbclid=IwY2xjawOkD3hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFFSGJUUWZTcWx1Q3hlenNNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiX-XEHIpfcLsdtcuxtXqaCVD3C7LBQVr9DImTEGngGINOQC1DZlwHdU3Y60_aem_wUTx32X6MELH_mBRyf3QRg

Cincinnati Bengals Move on From Promising Draft Pick After Two Years of Frustration

The Bengals are releasing Jermaine Burton on Monday.

James Rapien|19 minutes ago

Aug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Bengals are releasing Jermaine Burton on Monday. The wide receiver was suspended for their Week 14 loss against the Bills.

Zac Taylor made the announcement on Monday.

"We wish him the best," Taylor said. "I think everybody worked really hard at it and wish him the best."

The Bengals suspended Burton for the Bills game. That cost him $59,320, which is 1/18th of his game salary.

The news comes after the team announced Burton didn't travel with the team on Saturday. It's just the latest issue in what has been a rocky two years in Cincinnati for Burton.

The second year pro was hoping to bounce back after an underwhelming rookie campaign. He finished with four catches for 107 yards last season. The Bengals took Burton in the third round (80th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Bengals appeared encouraged by how Burton handled the offseason, but clearly lost the trust of his teammates and coaching staff. Not only has he been sidelined all season, but no one in the building has said that he should be on the field.

He's been healthy for the majority of the season, but didn't find his way onto the field. Now he'll hit waivers and 31 other teams will get a chance to add Burton. .

Burton's lack of consistency cost him a chance to get on the field and contribute. He has rare ability to make plays downfield and his play style should've complimented Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins well.

Instead, he didn't get on the field in his second season. The Bengals took a risk when they picked Burton in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The risk clearly didn't pay off.

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi/news/cincinnati-bengals-move-on-jermaine-burton-from-promising-draft-pick-after-two-years-frustration

This needs to be a reflection on the staff that picked him.

14 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

This needs to be a reflection on the staff that picked him.

Absolutely! And also why it took so long to figure out the guy was a piece of shit.

And, concurrently, Tee goes back into concussion protocol.

Guess this guy was less than useless.

Too bad. Talented kid with issues. Hope he figures things out.

23 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

This needs to be a reflection on the staff that picked him.

Mike Brown?

Between Burton and Malik Jefferson and Zack Carter, Jackson Carman, and … and… man, that’s recent day 2 draft capital, just totally wasted. Pathetic.

7 minutes ago, texbengal said:

Mike Brown?

Between Burton and Malik Jefferson and Zack Carter, Jackson Carman, and … and… man, that’s recent day 2 draft capital, just totally wasted. Pathetic.

I throw in Shemar Stewart. Biggest first round bust (so far) in Bengals history.

At least Akillme Smith won a couple games and beat the Browns.

Just now, High School Harry said:

I throw in Shemar Stewart. Biggest first round bust (so far) in Bengals history.

At least Akillme Smith won a couple games and beat the Browns.

He has time to redeem himself. David Verser would like a word as well.

I wonder what number the Squeeles will give him before rolling him out Monday night

against the Porpoises.

2 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

He has time to redeem himself. David Verser would like a word as well.

David Verser went on to become a Cincinnati Police Officer.

I don't think we'll see that with Burton.

Just now, High School Harry said:

David Verser went on to become a Cincinnati Police Officer.

I don't think we'll see that with Burton.

Haha! No.

Verser seemed to be a good guy, just a very poor first round draft pick.

It's a shame the kid never took it serious and got himself straightened out. He definitely has talent though, so someone will pick him up. Probably slides through waivers and then gets added to a PS or something afterwards. I expect a team to spend as little as possible on him, get him in the building and maybe called up a few times before committing to him at all.

3 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

Haha! No.

Verser seemed to be a good guy, just a very poor first round draft pick.

No kidding. He did. Not sure if he still is or how long he was on the force.

Wow... tragically sad story and life

https://archive.ph/20140122005020/http://bengals.enquirer.com/2001/04/20/ben_verser_haunted_by.html

From 2001, said entering his 9th year on the force.

Mentions his agent (his uncle) stole all his money.

btw... second round pick, was Cris Collinsworth who signed for more money

and we see what happened with him and his career.

Anyone have info on why he was suspended for the Bills game?

11 minutes ago, SmoothD said:

Anyone have info on why he was suspended for the Bills game?

He called Zac Shula a “poo-poo head” is the rumor.

This guy is a joke and our crack scouts are as well.

2 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

David Verser would like a word as well.

Right after Reggie Rembert.

(yeah, I know, he wasn’t a Bengals draft pick)

If they won the game do you think he still gets cut?

3 hours ago, SmoothD said:

Anyone have info on why he was suspended for the Bills game?

Would love to know details but I doubt we ever will. We can speculate though, including: found out that he faked his own ankle injury last week? kicked out of his apartment? missed more meetings? gambling addiction that he couldn't kick? just didn't listen to coaches? mega distraction in locker room? All of the above? I'm hoping Harry's "asking for a friend" can get details the next time he sees him at the casino. :)

41 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

If they won the game do you think he still gets cut?

My guess is yes. Probably coming for a long time and the whatever happened to cause the suspension just was the straw that broke the back. So, I think the writing was on the wall when the suspension was imposed but the organization just didn't want to announce it at the time.

It will be interesting to see if any team takes a chance on him now. Several teams are in need of a receiver, but maybe other teams are smart enough not to bother.

1 minute ago, esjbh2 said:

Would love to know details but I doubt we ever will. We can speculate though, including: found out that he faked his own ankle injury last week? kicked out of his apartment? missed more meetings? gambling addiction that he couldn't kick? just didn't listen to coaches? mega distraction in locker room? All of the above? I'm hoping Harry can get details the next time he sees him at the casino. :)

My guess is yes. Probably coming for a long time and the whatever happened to cause the suspension just was the straw that broke the back. So, I think the writing was on the wall when the suspension was imposed but the organization just didn't want to announce it at the time.

It will be interesting to see if any team takes a chance on him now. Several teams are in need of a receiver, but maybe other teams are smart enough not to bother.

Wouldn't they have to pick up his contract with a waiver claim? Why do that when they can wait for him to clear and bring him in for a tryout. Give him a couple weeks and he'd probably sign for a $100 marker & a buffet comp.

Claiming him on waivers is the way to make sure their team gets him instead of some other team. His salaries are the minimums for his level of experience so there's no risk in bringing him in. The Bengals are the ones eating the dead money from his signing bonus.

1 hour ago, T-Dub said:

If they won the game do you think he still gets cut?

yes

JMHO which means absolutely nothing but I'm thinking drinking problem.

Whatever... tragic and pitiful.

Let's relive the moment

https://www.bengals.com/video/jermaine-burton-alabama-draft-call-cincinnati-bengals-zac-taylor

15 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

Claiming him on waivers is the way to make sure their team gets him instead of some other team. His salaries are the minimums for his level of experience so there's no risk in bringing him in. The Bengals are the ones eating the dead money from his signing bonus.

Yeah I'm curious to see if anyone puts in a claim.