Joe Burrow takes none of the blame for the Cincinnati Bengals not making it to the playoffs. That stance, while not entirely surprising given the circumstances of the 2024 NFL season, is still a bold one. The quarterback, often praised for his cool demeanor and team-first mentality, has now found himself under scrutiny after offering candid remarks that have sparked debate among fans, analysts, and former players alike. The Bengals finished a disappointing 9-8 and missed the postseason after entering the year with Super Bowl aspirations. For a team that had once looked like the next AFC dynasty, falling short of the playoffs has created more questions than answers.
Burrow’s comments came during a sit-down interview during training camp in July 2025. When asked what went wrong in the previous season, Burrow didn’t dodge the question but made it clear he doesn’t feel he should shoulder the responsibility for the team’s failure to reach the playoffs. Instead, he pointed to factors outside his control: injuries, poor execution from others, questionable coaching decisions, and instability along the offensive line. He emphasized that football is a team sport and one player cannot carry an entire franchise every week, especially when significant portions of the team are underperforming or unavailable.
Of course, Burrow’s own season was marred by injuries. He missed several games with a wrist injury that lingered well into the second half of the season. When he did play, he was often limited, visibly affected by the lack of protection and minimal time to throw in a collapsing pocket. He ended the year with modest numbers compared to his MVP-caliber performances in 2021 and 2022: 3,165 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions in just 11 games. Not bad given the missed time, but certainly not the elite production Bengals fans had come to expect.
Some fans and analysts understand where Burrow is coming from. They agree that he shouldn’t take the fall for a team that had issues across the board. The defense, once a reliable unit, regressed significantly, especially in the second half of the season. The secondary gave up explosive plays, the linebackers struggled in coverage, and the defensive line failed to pressure opposing quarterbacks at key moments. Injuries also decimated the receiver corps, with both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase missing stretches of games. Joe Mixon had an underwhelming year, and the offensive line continued to be a glaring problem despite offseason investments.
Others, however, believe that as the face of the franchise, Burrow should have at least accepted partial responsibility. Great quarterbacks, they argue, rise above adversity and lead no matter the circumstances. They point to Patrick Mahomes guiding a depleted Chiefs team to the Super Bowl, or Lamar Jackson’s consistent brilliance despite lacking elite weapons. Leadership, in their eyes, is about accountability — even when the blame is shared. By deflecting all criticism, Burrow has, perhaps unintentionally, placed it on his teammates and coaching staff, creating a narrative of finger-pointing rather than unity.
It’s worth noting that Burrow has never been known as an ego-driven player. In fact, he has often been praised for his humility, work ethic, and leadership. His comments this offseason, however, have been interpreted by some as a change in tone. During his rookie year, he famously said, “If I lose, it’s on me. If I win, it’s on the team.” That quote was celebrated as the epitome of leadership. But now, four years in, after enduring injuries, organizational inconsistency, and increasing scrutiny, it seems Burrow is no longer willing to carry the burden alone.
Privately, sources say Burrow has grown frustrated with the team’s inability to keep him upright. He’s been one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL since entering the league, and while the Bengals have made attempts to bolster the offensive line, the results have been inconsistent. He’s also reportedly clashed at times with head coach Zac Taylor over game planning and late-game decision-making. While those reports haven’t been confirmed by either party, the tension is not hard to imagine. When a team with a top-five quarterback fails to reach the playoffs, pressure inevitably mounts from every direction.
Inside the locker room, reactions to Burrow’s remarks have been mixed. Some teammates shrugged them off, understanding the context and the mounting pressure. Others, particularly veterans, felt he could have expressed things differently. One anonymous player reportedly told a local reporter, “We all had a hand in that season going south. Nobody’s blameless. But when your leader acts like he is, it sends the wrong message.” The Bengals have spent years building a close-knit locker room culture, but fractures like this — even small ones — can erode trust over time.
Despite the controversy, Burrow remains the Bengals’ undisputed franchise quarterback. There is no talk of moving on or replacing him. He’s under contract for the foreseeable future, and when healthy, he’s undeniably one of the best in the game. But this offseason has highlighted the pressure he’s under to not only perform at an elite level but to be the calming force when things go awry. Cincinnati isn’t a team that can win on talent alone. They need cohesion, leadership, and resilience — all of which are being tested in the wake of a playoff miss.
The Bengals front office, for its part, has backed Burrow publicly. Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin said during the draft that “Joe is the engine of this team, and we go as he goes.” The organization doubled down on offensive line help in the draft and free agency, and they’ve hired a new offensive assistant known for creative pass protection schemes. It’s clear they believe that giving Burrow time and keeping him healthy is the priority. Whether or not that translates to wins, however, remains to be seen.
Fans are divided. Some are fiercely loyal, pointing to the many games Burrow has carried the team on his back. Others feel disappointed by what they view as a lack of humility. Social media exploded following the interview. Hashtags like “#NoBlameJoe” and “#BurrowAccountability” trended simultaneously for days. Talk radio in Cincinnati has had a field day dissecting every syllable. Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer weighed in, noting, “It’s a tough line to walk. As a quarterback, you want to be honest. But you also have to be careful — the team needs to know you’ve got their back.”
Burrow’s defenders argue that too much is being made of one quote. They insist that his work behind the scenes, his film study, his rehabilitation process, and his time spent mentoring younger players all demonstrate a leader who is committed. They suggest that fans and media alike need to understand the toll constant losing, injuries, and media pressure can take on even the most even-keeled athlete. And perhaps they have a point. After all, Burrow came into a historically dysfunctional franchise and turned them into contenders within two years. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without an extraordinary level of commitment and talent.
As training camp progresses, all eyes will be on how Burrow interacts with his teammates and coaches. If the team starts hot, winning cures everything. But if the offense sputters or the defense falters again, expect the spotlight to intensify. Whether Burrow likes it or not, quarterbacks are judged not just by their stats or highlights but by how they handle adversity. For now, he’s made it clear that he’s not willing to accept full blame for the failures of a team sport. Only time will tell whether that stance becomes a footnote or a defining narrative in his career.
