Joe Burrow Adds Pressure To Bengals With Latest Comment
Cole SheltonSat, June 20, 2026 at 5:54 PM UTC·3 min readJoe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals looked like they were well on their way to being perennial Super Bowl contenders, but that hasn't been the case.
Cincinnati selected Burrow first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, and in his second year, he led the team to a Super Bowl berth, but the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams. The following year, Cincinnati reached the AFC Championship Game, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDespite Burrow and the Bengals not winning the Super Bowl, many felt like they were close. However, since that AFC Championship loss in the 2022 NFL season, Cincinnati hasn't made the playoffs since.
The Bengals have missed the playoffs in three straight years as injuries have hindered Burrow. Yet, ahead of the 2026 NFL season, the franchise quarterback claims this year's Bengals team feels similar to the 2019 LSU Tigers team that dominated college football and won the national championship, which was led by Burrow at quarterback.
"You go back and watch what I said before the 2019 season at LSU," Burrow said on June 17. "I feel very similarly about this team. I'm so excited to get started and get moving. I wish we ramped this right into training camp so we can continue to improve. I feel like there's so much greatness we'll be able to achieve this year that I'm just excited to get going."
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It's a bold comment from Burrow, which will only add more pressure to the Bengals' season. The 2019 LSU Tigers football team is widely considered to be one of, if not the greatest, college football teams ever.
So, by Burrow saying this year's Cincinnati team reminds him of that, it puts sky-high expectations on the team, as now it's Super Bowl or bust for Burrow and the Bengals.
If Burrow can stay healthy, Cincinnati does have the talent to be a real threat in the AFC. However, oddsmakers don't believe in Burrow's confidence, as the Bengals are tied for the 12th-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +2000, and Cincinnati isn't even favored to win the AFC North.
Joe Burrow Wanted To Put Expectations On Bengals
Although Burrow's comments comparing Cincinnati to the 2019 LSU team that won it all will add pressure to the Bengals, that is what the quarterback wanted.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter missing the playoffs in three straight seasons, Burrow said his comment will hopefully fuel the team now that there are lofty expectations on them.
"Put pressure on guys," Burrow said. "I love it. I thrive in it. We'll find out who else does. I know we have the kind of people who want to be in that spot. I want everybody talking about the Bengals. I want everybody talking about what I'm saying in my press conferences."
Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn also agrees with Burrow, as she believes this team has all the tools to win the Super Bowl.
"If we can keep key guys out there on the field," Blackburn said, "I think we have a real shot to do really well."
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bengals went out and traded for Dexter Lawrence to bolster their defense, which was a major issue last season.
Cincinnati will open its 2026 NFL season on Sept. 13 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Related: The Cincinnati Bengals’ 5 Worst Draft Picks in the Last 10 Years
This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
