“Something’s got to change”: Joe Burrow calls out need for major reset after Bengals’ third consecutive playoff miss

Joe Burrow did not hide his frustration as the Cincinnati Bengals approached their regular season finale. With the playoffs officially out of reach, the Bengals quarterback delivered a clear message about the team’s direction. After missing the postseason for the third straight year, Burrow made it clear that staying on the same path is not an option.The Bengals were once among the AFC’s elite teams. They reached the Super Bowl after the 2021 season and followed it with an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2022. Since then, progress has slowed. As the season winds down, Burrow’s comments reflect a growing urgency inside the organization.Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, Burrow admitted that small improvements are no longer enough. He said the team must either see significant growth from its current players or make changes to the roster. The goal, according to Burrow, is simple: play championship-level football again.The 2024 season showed promise early. Cincinnati opened the year with back-to-back wins and looked stable on offense. That momentum disappeared when Burrow suffered a turf toe injury that forced him to miss nine games. Without their starting quarterback, the Bengals struggled to stay consistent and fell out of the playoff race.Since returning to the lineup, Burrow has shown signs of rhythm. He has won three of his last five starts, and a win over Cleveland would give Cincinnati three straight victories to close the season. While it would not impact the standings, it would offer a positive finish and some momentum heading into the offseason.Burrow has also taken a measured view of his own performance. He noted that the Bengals have won more games than they have lost in the games he has played. For him, the focus remains on controlling what he can and performing when he is on the field.Injuries continue to shape Burrow’s career and the Bengals’ future. After tearing his ACL as a rookie, he has dealt with multiple setbacks. Since the 2022 AFC Championship Game, Cincinnati is 24-26 overall, with Burrow missing 16 of those games due to injury.No matter the result against the Browns, the Bengals will finish with their worst record since Burrow’s rookie season. That reality has pushed the conversation toward accountability and long-term planning. As the offseason begins, Burrow’s message is clear: change is necessary if the Cincinnati Bengals want to return to playoff contention.Also Read: NFL Trade Rumors: Joe Burrow traded to New York Jets as Cincinnati Bengals acquire Fernando Mendoza