Joe Burrow’s Bengals Miss Playoffs Again - And the Spotlight’s Now on the Front Office
The Cincinnati Bengals won’t be dancing in the postseason for a third straight year. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that looked like it was building something special not too long ago.
Joe Burrow, the face of the franchise and one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, led this team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2021 and followed that up with an AFC Championship Game run in 2022. Since then?
It’s been nothing but frustration and missed opportunities.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about Burrow. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the most efficient, cerebral quarterbacks in the game.
But even the best need help - and right now, the help just isn’t there. The Bengals' biggest issue this season has been their defense, and it’s not just bad - it’s historically bad.
Through Week 15, Cincinnati ranks dead last in total defense, giving up an average of 403.8 yards and 31.2 points per game. That’s not just a red flag - it’s a full-blown siren.
And it comes despite the team bringing in veteran coach Al Golden from Notre Dame to run the defense. The scheme hasn’t clicked, the personnel hasn’t delivered, and the results speak for themselves.
So where do the Bengals go from here?
Plenty of eyes are turning toward the front office, and for good reason. The Bengals have taken a budget-conscious approach on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s showing.
Talent hasn’t been retained. Replacements haven’t stepped up.
And the unit has consistently been a liability - one that even a quarterback like Burrow can’t overcome.
NFL analyst Mina Kimes didn’t hold back when discussing the state of the Bengals' roster construction. Speaking on First Take, she pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles - a team that also spends sparingly on defense - as an example of how smart drafting, savvy signings, and strong coaching can make the difference. In her words, “It’s not Joe Burrow’s job to be the GM of the Cincinnati Bengals.”
She’s right. Burrow chose to keep his core of wide receivers intact, and that’s been part of the Bengals’ offensive identity. But when the other side of the ball can’t hold up its end of the bargain, it puts an unfair burden on the quarterback - even one with Burrow’s poise and precision.
Kimes went a step further, saying it’s time for Burrow to take a leadership role beyond the field - to call for change in the front office. It’s a rare stance, but one that reflects the growing frustration around a franchise that hasn’t capitalized on its championship window.
“We don’t talk about this front office and criticize them the way we should,” Kimes said. “We just write it off - ‘Ah, it’s the Bengals, they do things a different way, they’re cheap.’ We should be holding their feet to the fire.”
And she’s not alone in that sentiment. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin has faced increasing scrutiny over the years.
From questionable draft picks to a lack of urgency in retaining defensive talent, the decisions - or indecisions - have added up. The result?
A defense that’s become a glaring weakness on a team with elite offensive potential.
Burrow is locked in with a five-year, $275 million deal. He’s the future of the franchise - and the Bengals know it. But if this team is serious about competing in a loaded AFC, the front office has to match Burrow’s commitment with smarter, bolder moves on defense.
Because right now, the Bengals aren’t just wasting games - they’re wasting a generational quarterback’s prime.