Burrow Owns Up, Browns Look Ahead, and Stefanski's Future Looms: AFC North Notes
CINCINNATI - Joe Burrow didn’t mince words after the Bengals were officially knocked out of playoff contention following Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. For a quarterback known for his poise and precision, Burrow was brutally honest about his performance - and he wasn’t pointing fingers at anyone but himself.
“My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati,” Burrow said postgame. “They had everything to do with me and my mindset and football. I think this is one of the worst games that I’ve played.”
That’s a strong statement from a player who’s been the heartbeat of this franchise since he arrived. But it also speaks volumes about the standard Burrow sets for himself - and the accountability he’s willing to shoulder.
“Bad football teams do losing things,” he said. “And if you want to compete for championships and be in the playoffs, then No. 1, your quarterback has to play better than I did today.”
Burrow reportedly addressed the team afterward, taking full responsibility for the loss. He emphasized that he wants the pressure, the expectations - the entire weight of the franchise - squarely on his shoulders.
“I want everything on my plate. That’s the position I want to be in,” Burrow said.
“I feel confident in all those guys in the locker room. I know how hard people work at it, and we have the right people.
It starts with players playing better, and today it was me.”
That kind of leadership doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it matters. And for a Bengals team that’s endured an up-and-down season, hearing their quarterback own the moment could be a galvanizing force heading into the offseason.
CLEVELAND - The Browns may still be figuring out their long-term quarterback situation, but tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is already sold on one of the newest faces in the building.
Fannin believes rookie QB Shedeur Sanders has what it takes to be the guy in Cleveland - not just a placeholder, but a true franchise quarterback.
“All the work he put in, I definitely say if he just simply keeps being himself, especially on Sundays, then I definitely think so,” Fannin said. “All the work he’s put in from rookie minicamp, the guy put a lot of time into it. So to see him do that, in my mind I’m thinking, yeah, he wants it.”
It’s early, but the connection between Sanders and Fannin is already drawing attention. Chemistry between a young quarterback and his top target is the kind of thing that can accelerate a rebuild - or at least stabilize a team still searching for consistency under center.
Meanwhile, the Browns' coaching situation remains one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the offseason. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has drawn praise around the league, and according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, there’s little doubt Stefanski will be leading a team in 2026 - the only question is whether that team will still be the Browns.
If Stefanski were to move on, he’d immediately be one of the hottest names on the coaching market. League insiders see him as well-respected, well-liked, and capable of stepping into another head coaching role without missing a beat - much like Andy Reid did when he transitioned from Philadelphia to Kansas City.
Importantly, there’s still a widespread belief that Cleveland’s ongoing quarterback saga - including the Deshaun Watson situation and the ripple effects that followed - can’t be pinned on Stefanski.
When asked directly if he’s been given any assurances about his job security beyond 2025, Stefanski kept it close to the vest.
And as for Watson’s potential return to the 53-man roster before he reverts to the PUP list next week?
“Not my focus for right now,” Stefanski said. “Very, very pleased with the progress Deshaun is making.”
PITTSBURGH - (No new updates provided in this report.)
Bottom Line: In the AFC North, accountability, potential, and uncertainty are all on display. Joe Burrow is owning one of his worst performances with the kind of leadership that defines franchise quarterbacks. In Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders is starting to turn heads, and Kevin Stefanski’s future - whether in Cleveland or elsewhere - is setting up to be one of the bigger coaching storylines of the offseason.