Steelers Catch a Break as Bengals Cut WR Jermaine Burton
The Pittsburgh Steelers just got one less headache to game-plan for - at least for now. The Cincinnati Bengals have officially released wide receiver Jermaine Burton, removing a potential weapon from Joe Burrow’s arsenal as the AFC North race tightens.
Burton, who was suspended for Cincinnati’s Week 14 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, is now heading to waivers. The move brings an abrupt end to a short and underwhelming stint in Cincinnati, where expectations once ran high for the former SEC standout.
A Talent That Never Took Off in Cincinnati
Coming out of college, Burton brought plenty of buzz. He flashed big-play ability during his time at Georgia and Alabama, finishing his collegiate career with 132 receptions, 2,376 yards, and 23 touchdowns. That production had many scouts projecting him as a Day 1 or early Day 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But off-field concerns pushed him down draft boards, and the Bengals eventually took a swing on him in the third round. It was a calculated risk - the kind of move that could pay off big if the player matures, or backfire if the red flags prove too real.
Unfortunately for Cincinnati, it was the latter.
Burton never found his footing in the Bengals' offense. Over two seasons, he managed just four catches for 107 yards across 14 games. That’s not the kind of return you want from a player who was once pegged as a potential replacement for Tee Higgins.
Bengals’ WR Plans Shift - and Strain the Cap
Cincinnati had hoped Burton could eventually slide into a bigger role, especially with Higgins approaching a major payday. But Burton’s lack of development forced the Bengals to pivot. Instead of grooming a cost-controlled replacement, they doubled down on their core - signing both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase to extensions that will eat up a significant chunk of the salary cap moving forward.
That decision might stabilize the wide receiver room, but it comes at a cost. With so much money tied up in the offense, Cincinnati now has fewer resources to fix a defense that's been giving up more than its fair share of big plays this season.
Could the Steelers Be a Landing Spot?
Here’s where things get interesting for Pittsburgh. Burton was on the Steelers’ radar during the pre-draft process. And if there’s one thing Mike Tomlin’s program has been known for over the years, it’s getting the most out of wide receivers with big personalities - from Antonio Brown to Chase Claypool to George Pickens.
Now, to be fair, the Steelers have been trending away from that mold in recent years, placing a premium on locker room culture and consistency. But Burton’s raw talent still makes him an intriguing prospect. He’s physical, explosive, and when locked in, has the tools to be a difference-maker.
The question is whether Pittsburgh sees enough upside to bring him into their system - and whether Burton is ready for the kind of structure and accountability that the Steelers demand.
A Reset for Burton - and a Reminder for the Bengals
For now, Burton hits the waiver wire, hoping for another shot. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor kept it professional, saying, “I think everybody worked really hard at it and wish him the best. Hopefully he gets a change of scenery and it can do good things for him.”
Sometimes, that’s all a player needs - a new locker room, a new coaching staff, and a clean slate. But make no mistake: this is a pivotal moment in Burton’s career.
The talent is there. The opportunity, at least in Cincinnati, is gone.
As for the Steelers, they’ll take the win. One less potential playmaker to worry about in the division, and maybe - just maybe - a chance to turn someone else’s castoff into their next hidden gem.