Joe Burrow's fifth season with the Cincinnati Bengals has come to a frustrating close, leaving fans wondering what might have been had the early season been more forgiving. The Bengals, who surged back with five consecutive victories to finish the season, fell just short of the playoffs, necessitating favorable outcomes from other teams they could not control.
Despite Burrow's impressive performance during the year, where he threw for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns, the team concluded the regular season outside of playoff contention. The need for both the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos to lose for Cincinnati to secure the final playoff spot added to the disappointment. The Dolphins did their part by losing to the New York Jets, but the Broncos' triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs, who rested many of their starters under coach Andy Reid, dashed the Bengals' hopes.
Upon the conclusion of the dramatic season, Burrow took to Instagram to convey his feelings. He posted four photos reflecting on the season with the caption, "Season to Remember, sorry you won’t get to watch anymore. Year 5 in the books." This sentiment encapsulated the mixed emotions swirling around not just Burrow, but the entire Bengals organization, as optimism turned to disappointment.
Burrow's impressive statistics also place him among elite company; he joined legendary quarterbacks Dan Marino and Drew Brees as the only players to throw 40 or more touchdowns and miss the playoffs. Even with the personal accolades, Burrow sees the missed postseason as nothing short of failure, reflecting on the importance of each game throughout the season.
Speaking to reporters, Burrow expressed, "That's why you work so hard is to be at your best at the end. These last five weeks we have been. We just weren't able to find an extra win there early in the season to put us in a stronger position." His honesty resonates through the team's performance and their inability to gain traction early on, leaving them perpetual underdogs even as they showed resilience.
Frustration was not solely limited to Burrow and his achievements; Bengals head coach Zac Taylor also felt the weight of the season's outcome. Taylor's own future came under scrutiny after two consecutive seasons without playoff appearances, and he opted for significant changes to his coaching staff as part of the team's rebuilding effort. Lou Anarumo, the defensive coordinator since 2019, was let go after the team averaged 25.5 points against them this season, contributing to the Bengals' inability to secure wins when it mattered most.
The coaching shakeup signals Cincinnati's determination to avoid the same fate next year. Along with Anarumo, other coaches—such as offensive line coach Frank Pollack and linebackers coach James Bettcher—were also fired, indicating a thorough examination of the team’s strategy going forward.
Burrow remains optimistic about his team’s future, particularly with young stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on his side. Burrow has emphasized their importance to the Bengals' core and has expressed hope for Higgins' continued presence as he heads toward free agency. Burrow stated, "He's a one-of-a-kind person, one-of-a-kind player, and one we really count on. So hopefully, we can make it happen," highlighting the team's underlying unity amid uncertainty.
While this season ended with disappointment, Burrow's resolve and remarkable statistical year provide solid groundwork as they head toward what everyone hopes will be postseason contention next year. With changes being made, one can only wonder if this is the reset the Bengals needed. It's clear the team will reflect on the lessons learned from the challenges faced this year. Time will tell if these changes bring about the desired results, but for the moment, all eyes are on the future of the Bengals and their star quarterback as they look to reclaim their place among the NFL elite.
With the dust settled from the 2024 season, the Bengals must now turn their focus toward rebuilding, renewing, and hopefully returning to playoff glory, reigniting the hopes and passions of their loyal fanbase.