Joe Burrow’s week of prep with the Cincinnati Bengals has once again turned into a talking point online, and not because of anything happening between the lines.
The Bengals are getting ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football, coming off a 34-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid. Burrow was a big part of that result, throwing three touchdown passes and running for another as Cincinnati picked up its fourth straight victory.
Still, a video posted by Dov Kleiman on Thursday drew plenty of attention. It showed Burrow walking with a teammate toward an entrance labeled Kettering Health Practice Fields, and the post said fans were stunned that Burrow and his teammates have to cross a street to get to practice. The reaction in the comments came fast.
“One of the most pathetic facilities in the NFL,” one fan wrote. “A billion-dollar franchise and Joe Burrow has to look both ways before practice. Mike Brown’s idea of a facilities upgrade is a crossing guard in a Bengals hoodie.”
Not everyone was piling on, though. “Multiple teams travel further btw,” another commenter wrote.
A third fan added, “It’s been like this for literally ever and not once has anyone been hurt or anything happened while crossing. Is it dumb?
Yeah for sure, but it’s really not that big of a deal,”
The setup around the Bengals’ practice space has been a known issue before. Sports Illustrated reported in September 2024 that the team stopped reporters from filming players crossing the street from the practice field.
FOX Sports also reported that the Bengals’ new lease, connected to a $470 million Paycor Stadium renovation, does not include an indoor practice facility. According to that report, the team has used an indoor practice bubble across the street since 2022.
FOX Sports also quoted owner Mike Brown on the arrangement: “We aren’t looking for fancy, new things.”
Now Cincinnati turns back to football, with a rematch against a Steelers team that beat the Bengals 30-27 on September 27.
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Joe Burrow Just Put Bengals Facility Criticism Back In The Spotlight
Joe Burrow and the Bengals are getting ready for a prime-time meeting with the Steelers on Sunday night after a win over the Falcons, but the conversation around the team has drifted well beyond the standings. Social media has again taken aim at Cincinnatis practice setup, with the cross-street walk to the field becoming the latest symbol of a facility issue that has followed the franchise for years.
Mike Brown has already made clear the team is not chasing anything new or flashy, and the Bengals new lease connected to the stadium renovation does not include an indoor practice facility. So while the focus on the field is on Pittsburgh, the backdrop around the team remains the same familiar debate, one that keeps resurfacing whenever the Bengals are in the spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Could Get Needed Secondary Help At The Perfect Time
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There is also a bigger-picture reason this situation has some urgency. Cincinnati is already looking ahead to Washington next week, and the Commanders come in with the confidence of a Thursday Night Football win behind them. If Davis keeps progressing, the Bengals could be in position to add another experienced option at exactly the moment they need one most, even if the final decision on activation still hangs in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals May Finally Have A First Round Answer At Linebacker
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For a Bengals defense that has continued to search for a true long-term answer in the middle, the projection at least offers a name worth filing away. Viliamu-Asas talent is obvious, but so is the concern in his background, with two ACL injuries already part of the conversation around him, which is why any early draft buzz around him will come with plenty of caution attached. [Read more 🡒]