Kelsey Conway

Cincinnati Enquirer

Updated Jan. 4, 2026, 6:12 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Bengals franchise quarterback Joe Burrow sent a message to everyone who plays a role in building the 53-man roster following his team’s 20-18  home loss to Cleveland in the season finale.

Another season in Burrow’s prime has been wasted as the Bengals finished 6-11 and will miss the playoffs for a third straight year.

“We certainly aren’t where we need or want to be … not where I expect to be,” Burrow said Jan. 4. “We have to figure it out.”

Over the next few days, Burrow will meet members of the Bengals’ front office and coaching staff. He will provide his thoughts on what he wants to see the franchise do in the offseason.

He knows his voice is highly valued in the organization and plans to use it in a way that can help guide the franchise in another critical offseason.

Burrow and Bengals’ wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have publicly expressed their desire to see the franchise do something different. Change is needed at some level to get the Bengals out of their drought of missing the postseason.

“I think about things critically, and I think I can provide insight into things going on in the locker room and on the field that could help us win,” Burrow said. “So, I plan to voice some things just like I do every offseason.”

The team is a year removed from arguably the biggest offseason the franchise has seen to date with high profile contact extensions with defensive end Trey Hendrickson, wide receiver Tee Higgins and Chase. The Bengals were able to sign Chase and Higgins to multi-year deals. Hendrickson and the Bengals didn’t agree on a long-term deal, and he is expected to become a free agent in March.

This offseason will once again be focused on improving the defense. Burrow was asked if he believes his championship mindset is being matched by the front office.

His response left room for interpretation.

“I sure hope so. I know everybody is frustrated right now,” Burrow said. “There’s a disconnect during the season – we’re down here focused on the day-to-day and trying to get better, and it’s their job upstairs to focus on the big picture. I know they’re committed to that.”

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2026/01/04/joe-burrow-sends-message-bengals-must-figure-it-out/88022094007/

2 hours ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

Well Mike Brown has already given it careful thought and consideration and we are going to war with what we have! Onwards and well, not upwards but Average!

If he is going to point fingers...he needs to point a few back at himself.

48 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Well Mike Brown has already given it careful thought and consideration and we are going to war with what we have! Onwards and well, not upwards but Average!

There’s no doubt about it. There’s no question!

And hey, I know I’ve never mentioned it before(!), but this organization does such a great job managing the cap. No sirree, no dead money in this b*tch!

he sent absolutely no message what so ever...

8 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

he sent absolutely no message what so ever...

Sure he did. He said it’s their job upstairs to focus on the “big picture.” Things like not having the worst defense in the league. Nothing is going to change until that happens.

10 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Well Mike Brown has already given it careful thought and consideration and we are going to war with what we have! Onwards and well, not upwards but Average!

They're going to compete! For the contractually obligated duration of the scheduled games designated by the franchise governing body! WOOOO!!! Are you ready for some profit sharing!?

9 hours ago, Le Tigre said:

If he is going to point fingers...he needs to point a few back at himself.

I think his toe is pointing back at himself now, does that count?

31 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

I think his toe is pointing back at himself now, does that count?

Sure. Add in a thumb also. If he continues to want to have “fun”…there are several things in his game he can “fix” also.

7 minutes ago, Le Tigre said:

Sure. Add in a thumb also. If he continues to want to have “fun”…there are several things in his game he can “fix” also.

Undoubtedly, but he's also the absolute least of their worries. I mean, could Ja'Marr be a better blocker? Probably, but that's not what's losing them games.

2 minutes ago, Le Tigre said:

Sure. Add in a thumb also. If he continues to want to have “fun”…there are several things in his game he can “fix” also.

I agree that JB can definitely play better and he has done so as recently as 2024, when he led the league in passing and touchdowns. Played at a MVP level and lost four games scoring 30 plus. Nothing much he can do about the defense being complete garbage for 3 years running. That’s mostly a product of poor decisions in both the draft and free agency.

Zac said, their Scouting Department is excited to get back to work, um, what scouting department?

This article was pretty much a nothing burger.

9 minutes ago, TigerJ@w said:

Zac said, their Scouting Department is excited to get back to work, um, what scouting department?

He and the other coaches, right? (half ninja)

I was thinking about another aspect of the Bengals draft "planning" that is very likely much weaker than perhaps any other team in the league - contingency planning. Everybody has their draft board, everybody has favourites and debates over players... but what about the contingency plans? What if that guy you want is picked right before you, what are the possible directions? Are tactics something they're capable of? It seems for the Bengals it's always been "pick the next guy unless someone comes to us with an offer". How often have the Bengals immediately traded down when a player they wanted was taken ahead of them? When are they proactive during the round? We've seen teams like the Pats do that all the time. What does that mean? That means they planned for it. It means they had the trade in the bag as a contingency. These are the kinds of things a legit scouting department and management team gives you: flexibility/agility and preparedness. How often have we seen Zac explain that some player (e.g. Wilson) was a guy they were HOPING and PRAYING and SHITTING THEIR PANTS wasn't going to be gone because WTF HAPPENS THEN?!?! To me this is part of why they draft the redemption projects, because they have the paper numbers but are MUCH more likely to be available. It's what teams who aren't proactive do, they do the lazy, hope-and-prayers non-plan.

The Bengals are pretty much incapable of making decisions on the fly. That suggests either some sort of group, consensus based decision making or a lack of intellectual flexibility as if a 90 year old person were in charge.

32 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

The Bengals are pretty much incapable of making decisions on the fly. That suggests either some sort of group, consensus based decision making or a lack of intellectual flexibility as if a 90 year old person were in charge.

Impossible to know but I do wonder who is the dissenting voice, if there ever is or was one.. someone to suggest "maybe there are better options here than this WR plastered in red flags" or "there are a number of good players on the board, maybe an 8/10 athlete that can play football is better than a 9/10 athlete that doesn't know how to put his pads on by himself".. or whatever the case may be but does anyone feel comfortable voicing something outside the group-think?

and whether that person's name was Lou..

really seems like the Mystery GM sets a tone and it's everyone else's job to act like their every decision is the work of genius. they're all just nonstop crushing it, top to bottom.

11 hours ago, TigerJ@w said:

Zac said, their Scouting Department is excited to get back to work, um, what scouting department?

It’s a small group but they do love their daily circle jerk…

12 hours ago, TigerJ@w said:

Zac said, their Scouting Department is excited to get back to work, um, what scouting department?

"Get back" to work? Scouting should be a 12-month process if you're being paid for it.

13 hours ago, TigerJ@w said:

Zac said, their Scouting Department is excited to get back to work, um, what scouting department?

The Scouting Department

1 hour ago, WRAPradio said:

"Get back" to work? Scouting should be a 12-month process if you're being paid for it.

They were also the stadium snow clearing crew.