Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has taken the proverbial gloves off.
Obviously irritated with how this season has played out and capable of seeing much of the blame falls on how the organization does business, Burrow has repeatedly put very public pressure on the Bengals to get things right.
Burrow’s latest message ahead of the season finale couldn’t be any clearer.
“Whenever a great player leaves, you wish you could have found a way to keep them,” Burrow said. “You don’t want to make a living out of letting great players leave the building. I think that’s why you got to do everything you can to get those deals done early.”
By now, fans understand Burrow is extremely calculated. He doesn’t say things at random. This isn’t a warning, but the Bengals should probably take it as one.
The defense has collapsed and played a big part in the Super Bowl window seeming to shut after losing names like Jessie Bates and DJ Reader. The franchise failed to get Ja’Marr Chase’s contract extension done this past offseason, to the point Chase reportedly felt misled.
And then there’s the matter of Tee Higgins.
Higgins was as good as gone after the franchise tag this year — until Burrow started throwing his weight around in public. He put serious public pressure on the team about it, then Higgins parted ways with his agent, only to turn around and sign with the same reps as Chase.
Before this latest Burrow statement? A report said that Higgins isn’t necessarily looking to be paid as a No. 1 wideout.
The writing is on the wall when it comes to Higgins’ future with the Bengals. All the Bengals have to do is seize the moment.
But the writing couldn’t be more obvious from Burrow, either — get it right, now.
It’s abundantly obvious that Burrow will do whatever it takes on his end to help. Recruiting players, offering input, even restructuring his contract. But it’s on the Bengals to take the necessary, latest modernizing steps to get this right.
Granted, the quarterback shouldn’t have to come in and air this out in public to get the Bengals to modernize. But he does, isn’t shy about doing so and for the segment of fans getting deja vu, well, the Bengals had better listen and make it happen.
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