The Bengals’ Winter of Discontent: What’s Next for Cincinnati and Joe Burrow?
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t just fall short in 2025 - they faceplanted. What was supposed to be a rebound season for a team with championship DNA turned into a full-blown unraveling, and at this point, it’s fair to ask if the Bengals are squandering one of the most talented quarterbacks of this generation.
Let’s start with the obvious: this year has been a disaster. Joe Burrow, the face of the franchise and the heartbeat of the locker room, went down in Week 2 with a turf toe injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since then, the wheels haven’t just come off - they’ve rolled halfway to Cleveland.
Last weekend’s 24-0 home loss to the Ravens felt like rock bottom. Not just because it officially ended Cincinnati’s playoff hopes, but because of what Burrow said afterward. His comments weren’t just raw - they were revealing.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”
That’s not your typical postgame frustration. That’s a franchise quarterback questioning his future - not just in Cincinnati, but in football. And when asked directly if he’s thought about playing elsewhere, Burrow didn’t dodge.
“You think about a lot of things.”
That’s the sound of a powder keg being lit in Southwest Ohio.
The Fanbase Has Reached Its Boiling Point
Bengals fans aren’t just frustrated - they’re fed up. They’ve watched this team waste a top-tier quarterback, arguably the league’s best receiving corps, and a window that once looked wide open. And now, the anger is spilling into the streets - literally.
A billboard popped up recently near Paycor Stadium with a clear message:
**“Fire Zac.
Fire Duke. Save Burrow.”
**
It was funded by a local podcast, but it speaks for a large portion of the fanbase. The sentiment is simple: something has to change. And soon.
Zack Moss Doesn’t Hold Back
Former Bengals running back Zack Moss, who led the team in rushing last season, didn’t mince words either. He took to social media and called Cincinnati “easily the worst franchise in sports.” That’s not just a hot take - that’s a damning indictment from someone who’s been inside the building.
It’s hard to argue with him when you look at how the team has handled its defensive struggles. The Bengals' defense has been historically bad at times this season, and these aren’t new problems.
They’ve been lingering since last year. And yet, the front office fumbled one of its most important personnel decisions.
The Trey Hendrickson Saga
Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s reigning sack leader, wanted a contract extension. The Bengals?
They didn’t budge. Hendrickson held out during training camp but eventually gave in - not because he was satisfied, but because he realized Cincinnati wasn’t going to reward his production.
And unlike other organizations that would at least trade a disgruntled star to get something back, the Bengals stood pat. Hendrickson signed a one-year deal that all but guarantees he’ll be wearing another jersey in 2026.
Cincinnati will get nothing in return. That’s brutal asset management.
The Front Office Isn’t Going Anywhere
So who’s responsible for all this? Many fans are pointing fingers at Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ Director of Player Personnel - essentially their general manager.
But according to reports, Tobin’s job isn’t in jeopardy. Internally, he’s viewed as family - nearly on par with the Brown family that owns the team.
That’s not just job security - that’s tenure. And it’s frustrating for fans who see a front office that operates with the smallest scouting department in the NFL and has made a series of questionable decisions.
Zac Taylor’s Seat? Still Cold
As for head coach Zac Taylor, don’t expect a change there either. Yes, the offense has sputtered this year, but Taylor still has the backing of Burrow - and more importantly, a contract extension that runs through 2027.
And let’s not forget: this is the same franchise that kept Marvin Lewis around for 16 years without a single playoff win. Taylor’s résumé includes a Super Bowl appearance. That kind of success buys you time in Cincinnati, whether fans like it or not.
The Burrow Window Is Closing - Fast
Here’s the reality: Joe Burrow has been in the league for six seasons and has only made the playoffs twice. Injuries have played a role, no doubt. But so has the organization’s inability to build and maintain a championship-caliber roster around him.
Now, with Burrow openly questioning his future, the Bengals are at a crossroads. They can’t afford to waste another year of his prime.
They have the quarterback. They have the weapons.
But unless the front office and coaching staff start making bold, forward-thinking decisions, they risk turning a golden era into a missed opportunity.
And if that happens, Burrow won’t just be remembered as the guy who brought hope back to Cincinnati - he might be remembered as this generation’s Carson Palmer: a generational talent who saw the writing on the wall and decided to look elsewhere.
The Bengals still have time to fix this. But the clock is ticking - and the fans are watching.