The Bengals might be out of the playoff picture, but don’t expect them to hit the brakes - especially when it comes to their quarterback. Head coach Zac Taylor made it clear on Monday: Joe Burrow will remain under center for the final three games of the season.
“Because we want to win,” Taylor said, when asked why there’s been no discussion about shutting Burrow down.
Simple answer, but it says a lot. Even with postseason hopes officially off the table, the Bengals are still playing to compete - and Burrow is still the guy leading that charge.
It’s been a frustrating, injury-riddled season for the franchise quarterback. Burrow missed nine games with a toe injury, a setback that derailed any rhythm the offense was building.
But he returned with a statement performance on Thanksgiving, guiding Cincinnati to a win over the Ravens. Then, in Week 14, he lit up the scoreboard in Buffalo with four touchdown passes - a vintage Burrow outing - but a pair of costly fourth-quarter interceptions opened the door for a Bills comeback.
And then came Sunday’s game - a 24-0 shutout loss to Baltimore where nothing seemed to click. It was a rough afternoon for Burrow and the offense, one that underscored just how inconsistent this season has been for Cincinnati.
Still, the Bengals aren’t mailing it in. The decision to keep Burrow on the field isn’t about moral victories or player development - it’s about competing, finishing strong, and building momentum heading into the offseason. For a team that’s been through the wringer with injuries and inconsistency, there’s value in closing the year with their leader on the field, even if the playoff lights have gone out.
The hope now? Cleaner execution, fewer turnovers, and - above all - no more injuries.
Because while this season might not end with a postseason berth, how it ends still matters. And for the Bengals, it’ll end with Joe Burrow leading the way.