Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow raised eyebrows in December by saying “crazy things happen” in relation to his future, but he’s now clear about his commitment to the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2020.
“I’m efficient with my words, and when I’m efficient with my words, that leaves some room for interpretation,” Burrow told team reporter Geoff Hobson. “But I mean what I say. I’m here for the long haul. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just trying to bring a now-or-never mentality to the day-by-day process. If you’re not, what are you doing? Attack the day with a championship mindset. The rest will take care of itself.”
Burrow is under contract through 2030, and stated repeatedly throughout the offseason that he has championship aspirations for Cincinnati’s immediate future.
Last month, Burrow said “life is too short” for the Bengals not to aim for the Super Bowl. In May, the 29-year-old stated the club has increased urgency to compete in 2026 after making several splashes on defense.
Cincinnati added Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook over the offseason to bolster a defensive corps that held the club back in 2025.
Burrow was limited to eight games last year due to injury. He went 5-3 with 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns when healthy. The Bengals finished the year 6-11, and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season after reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 and AFC Championship Game in 2022.
The Bengals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in their season opener.
