The Cincinnati Bengals will not participate in the NFL playoffs for the third consecutive season, following their appearance in the AFC Championship game in 2022 and a Super Bowl in 2021.
Cincinnati has fallen fairly far from the team that was such a threat in the AFC, thanks to a stingy defense and elite play from Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
How long is it going to take for the Bengals to get back to their winning ways? Does their franchise quarterback have the patience to stick it out for another season?
Albert Breer warns Bengals that Joe Burrow's patience could be waning
In a column from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, he cautioned the Bengals on Burrow's patience for a turnaround.
"He’s made the most of that opportunity when he’s been healthy, changing the face of the organization in many ways. And I don’t think he’s ready to give up on that. But he won’t be patient forever. Eventually, this could become Matthew Stafford in Detroit," wrote Breer.
"I think the people who run the Bengals are aware of that—I’ve always gotten that impression from my conversations with them."
While Burrow isn't expected to be going anywhere this offseason, another failed season in 2026 could spell the end of an era in Cincinnati.
The Bengals must find a way to fix their league-worst defense and protect Burrow at all costs.
Otherwise, they'll be stuck in the purgatory they were in prior to selecting the Heisman Trophy winner first overall in 2020.
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- Adam Schefter says teams are 'taking notice' of Joe Burrow's recent comments
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