The Cincinnati Bengals are once again one of the teams to beat in the AFC.
Even though they lost Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and Brian Callahan, they should continue to be one of the powerhouses in the game.
Of course, that only applies if Joe Burrow is also out there.
That’s why former NFL player Chris Canty believes Burrow will be under a lot of pressure next season.
Talking on ESPN Radio’s UNSPORTSMANLIKE Show, Canty stated that Burrow needs to be healthy and available for all 17 games next season.
There’s a ton of pressure on Joe Burrow. pic.twitter.com/Oua4OVj1Jq
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) July 8, 2024
He believes Burrow will be in the spotlight because of the huge contract he got, so he will need to elevate his game and make everybody around him better.
Canty also explained that, unlike Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, or even Dak Prescott, Burrow has gotten a pass from mainstream criticism because he’s proven that — when healthy — he could go out there and take down Patrick Mahomes, even on the road at Arrowhead Stadium.
Nonetheless, with two of his first four seasons in the league ending with injury, it’s time people start having some uncomfortable conversations about him if he doesn’t get the job done.
Burrow gets a pass because he’s already been to the Super Bowl, and he had to beat the best player in the game to get there, which is something neither of the aforementioned players can brag about.
But at some point, availability will also have to be a factor in the conversation.
