CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Jermaine Burton has talked the talk before, but now it’s time for him to walk the walk. If he does then the Bengals may be adding a major weapon to their already potent offense, and Burton can salvage his career.

There were major red flags surrounding the wide receiver entering the 2024 draft, which is a reason he slipped to the third round where the Bengals selected him. Burton politely answered questions about those red flags when he met with reporters the day after he was taken and seemed to put those issues to rest. Instead problems arose in training camp when quarterback Joe Burrow said Burton needed to study the playbook more and there were reports of Burton sleeping in team meetings.

Then came the regular season where he got scant playing time, participating in only 131 offensive snaps and recording four receptions for 108 yards.

He also blew his chance at the one time the team planned to utilize him significantly in the Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders due to an injury to Tee Higgins. Burton missed morning meetings on the Friday leading up to the game. Head coach Zac Taylor was still planning to play him, because the team was so deep into the game plan for the week. Then Burton no-showed for the Saturday morning walk-through and was placed on the inactive list for the game.

He was also left home for the regular-season finale at Pittsburgh. The team made that announcement on the Friday before that game and announced the decision was made by Taylor, which signified Burton likely had messed up again.

There were also off-field issues, including twice being evicted from his apartment and being accused of assault on Dec. 30, although no charges were filed.

All signs seemed to point in the direction of the Bengals cutting ties with Burton, but director of player personnel Duke Tobin gave him a vote of confidence at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

“We made the choice with eyes wide open and we’re not giving up on him and hopefully he goes into it and shows the talent that he has,” said Tobin. “He has real talent. He can run and he can give us something. He can be a threat for us and so we’re hoping that materializes this year.”

Burton surprised reporters during the NFL Draft by showing up at Paycor Stadium, and he looked different than he did during the season when he almost had a Zombie-like appearance and always looked tired. During the draft he looked refreshed and was trying to put his best foot forward.

Following the team’s Organized Team Activity practice on Tuesday he stood at his locker for almost 10 minutes and answered questions about his tumultuous rookie season and how he plans to turn his situation into a positive moving forward.

“I am in a really good head space right now,” Burton said. “I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be back around my guys and happy to still be learning my guys and building better relationships with them. I honestly couldn’t be happier.”

He credits wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive tackle B.J. Hill for mentoring him. “Chase and Tee have done a real good job talking with me about ways they stay consistent,” said Burton.

Why he chose not to do that last year is unclear, but that was what Tobin said he hoped would happen.

“We had high regard and alignment on trying to put him in a great room of guys who do it the right way – the same group of guys who do it the right way,” said Tobin. “If you’re coming into a room, that’s a helluva room to come into. You ain’t coming in big dog, and you’re going to learn how to work and you’re going to learn how to be a pro. We’re still hoping that comes.”

Burton said he has come up with, “better habits, a better routine at being at the facility, better rehab habits and just better overall ways to become a better player.”

Taylor and Burrow both said a couple of weeks at their respective press conferences that they have seen a change for the better in Burton.

“All he can handle is the present at this point,” Taylor said. “I think he’s done a good job of that this offseason. He’s been in the building. He’s in the building outside of work hours, doing his own thing, prehabbing to get his body right. He has attacked practice the right way and that is what you can control right now so I appreciate that much.”

“I think he’s stepped up this year so far, has taken it very seriously, has matured it seems like,” said Burrow. “That’s exciting to see. Based on the conversations that we have had, he’s in a good spot mentally and physically, and he’s been working hard, which is exciting to see.”

Clearly the Bengals have given Burton a second chance, and it will likely be his last chance as well.

“I don’t look at it as a chance, I just look at it like my coaches really believe in me,” said Burton. “Life is life, you know, things happen, and you just have to move on from it. The only thing you can do as a person is make your own decisions. Whether you’re in a good spot or not mentally or physically, you can always make a bad decision. It’s all up to you as a person on how you move on from things and grow as a person.”

It has a chance to be a great redemption story, but only if Burton walks the walk this time around.