The time is now for the Cincinnati Bengals, according to their star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Ahead of the 2026 season, Burrow made it known that he feels very confident about the Bengals’ 2026 Super Bowl hopes, comparing the roster to the roster he had at LSU in 2019 that won the national championship.
But he made it clear, it’s time to win.
“You know, I’m tired of saying ‘next year, next year, next year,'” Burrow told reporters on Thursday. “This is it. Life is too short to keep pushing things down the road. I’m trying to instill some urgency and intensity in everybody to go and be great everyday, and trying to make it happen.”
When asked if he feels like it has to be “now or never” for the Bengals to win, Burrow left no doubt.
“That’s how I’m treating it, for sure. That’s how I’m treating it,” he said.
It’s unclear what consequences might come should Cincinnati not capture a Lombardi Trophy, for Burrow or others. Burrow’s current contract has him locked into Cincinnati through the 2029 season. He agreed to the deal in 2023.
Burrow did restructure his contract this offseason, but the only immediate effect was $10 million in cap relief for the team.
What is clear is that the Bengals have made strides to improve their roster this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They landed defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II in a trade with the New York Giants, while also adding DT Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook in free agency.
The Bengals open the 2026 season on Sept. 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
