The Bengals are moving on from wide receiver Jermaine Burton, releasing the former third-round pick following his one-game suspension this past Sunday, per Ian Rapoport. It’s a significant move, but not entirely surprising when you look at the bigger picture of Burton’s brief and rocky stint in Cincinnati.
From the start, the Bengals gave Burton multiple opportunities to carve out a role, but the production never matched the potential. Drafted 80th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Burton came into the league with a strong college pedigree - a national championship at Georgia in 2021 before transferring to Alabama - and the kind of athletic profile that made him an intriguing mid-round pick. But in the NFL, potential only gets you so far.
Burton’s rookie season was quiet, and the red flags started to pile up. He was a healthy scratch more than once, and internal discipline issues didn’t help his standing with the coaching staff.
Heading into Year 2, the message from the organization was clear: step up or step aside. Burton did just enough to survive the offseason roster cuts, but he never saw the field in 2025.
That, combined with the recent suspension, appears to have been the final straw.
This is a player still just 24 years old, under contract through 2027 on a four-year rookie deal worth just under $5.8 million - including a $1 million signing bonus. But for the Bengals, the investment no longer outweighed the lack of return.
In 2024, Burton played in 14 games, catching just four passes on 14 targets for 107 yards. No touchdowns, no consistent impact, and no sign that a breakout was coming.
It’s a tough end to a short chapter, but not an uncommon one in the NFL. For Burton, the next step is all about finding a team willing to take a chance on his raw talent and give him a clean slate. For the Bengals, it’s about turning the page and continuing to reshape a receiver room that clearly didn’t have a long-term spot for him.
Sometimes, the fit just isn’t there - and in this case, both sides are moving on.