Joe Burrow is gearing up for his third game back since undergoing surgery for a turf toe injury, and it’s a familiar opponent on deck - the Ravens, for the second time in three weeks. As the Bengals prepare for a critical divisional matchup, all eyes are once again on Burrow, who just turned 29 and is navigating yet another chapter in a career that’s been as physically demanding as it has been impressive.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Burrow. Since entering the league, he’s missed significant time in half of his six NFL seasons - a torn ACL as a rookie, a wrist injury in 2023, and now the turf toe that sidelined him earlier this year. And while the Bengals have built a roster that’s playoff-caliber on paper, their success has always hinged on No. 9 being upright and under center.
When Burrow is healthy, he’s proven he can play at an MVP level - we’ve seen him carry Cincinnati to the Super Bowl and go toe-to-toe with the league’s best. But when he’s not on the field, the drop-off is steep. The Bengals have managed just one win without him this season, a reminder of how central he is to everything they do.
This week, Burrow was asked if the latest injury has shifted his outlook on the game. His response was candid and telling.
“It doesn’t change my desire to win,” he said. “If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it.
I’ve been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”
Joe Burrow today on his new mindset following the third serious injury of his career. Prioritizing having fun, despite the challenges of 2025.
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) December 10, 2025
"If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this. I have been through a lot. If it's not fun, then what am I doing it for?… pic.twitter.com/nc5mTxno7K
That’s not the kind of quote you usually get from a franchise quarterback in the thick of the season. But it speaks volumes about where Burrow is mentally. He didn’t point to one specific moment that changed his mindset - instead, it’s been a gradual realization, shaped by the physical toll and the emotional weight of the past few seasons.
“I think I’ve been through more than most,” he admitted. “Certainly not easy on the brain or the body, so just trying to have fun doing it again.”
There was a pause when he was asked if it’s tough to enjoy the game after everything he’s endured. “It’s certainly,” he said, trailing off - a moment that said just as much as any full sentence could.
Burrow also hinted at broader challenges beyond just the injuries, saying, “There are just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on.” When asked whether those issues were football-related or personal, he didn’t hesitate: “All of the above.”
That kind of honesty is rare in a league that often prizes stoicism over vulnerability. But it also paints a clearer picture of where Burrow is right now - a player still chasing greatness, but also trying to rediscover the joy that made him fall in love with the game in the first place.
The Bengals haven’t made the postseason since 2022, and with Burrow’s health in flux over the past two seasons, the team has struggled to find its footing. That context matters. For a competitor like Burrow, winning is the goal - but if the grind becomes joyless, even the victories can feel hollow.
He didn’t outline exactly what he’s looking for, or what “fun” means to him at this stage of his career. But you get the sense it’s not just about wins and stats anymore. It’s about finding purpose in the process again, reconnecting with the part of football that made him want to be great in the first place.
And if he can do that - if he can stay healthy, stay present, and start enjoying the game again - the Bengals will be better for it. Because when Joe Burrow is locked in and loving football, few quarterbacks in the league can match what he brings to the field.