ESPN Analyst Accuses Bengals Of ‘Wasting’ Joe Burrow’s Career originally appeared on The Spun.
An ESPN analyst believes Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in danger of replicating a disappointing 2024.
Advertisement
Burrow led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) last season, but the Bengals missed the playoffs with the league’s No. 25 defense. Fans felt some deja vu watching Cincinnati allow 14 points in the first quarter of Monday’s preseason win over the Washington Commanders, who rested Jayden Daniels and other key starters.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark expressed concern about his old division rival’s defense on Tuesday’s Get Up. He responded, “Absolutely” when host Mike Greenberg asked if he’s worried about the Bengals “wasting” Burrow’s peak years.
“If you watched that game last night and you think about, especially early on last season, we’ve watched people run for more miles against the Cincinnati Bengals than (ultra-marathon runner) David Goggins,” Clark said.
Advertisement
Defense remains a sore spot
The Bengals certainly didn’t derail Burrow’s passing prowess by signing star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals. However, they haven’t done much to address a defense that allowed at least 34 points in six of last season’s eight losses.
Cincinnati remains in a contract standoff with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the team with 17.5 sacks last season. Nobody else tallied more than five.
Advertisement
According to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, Hendrickson said the two sides are close on the length and salary of an extension. Yet they remain divided on guaranteed money.
Clark believes that situation poses a significant problem for the Bengals.
“The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to figure out a way to capitalize on having one of the best quarterbacks of this generation,” Clark said. “And so what they did in the offseason was re-sign Tee Higgins. Re-sign Ja’Marr Chase. But now you’re looking at a defense that hasn’t improved. And not only has it not improved, but you also haven’t signed your best player, and one of the few impact players you have on that side of the football.”
Advertisement
Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) warms up for a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Clark claimed that Burrow played on Monday night because he realized the Bengals may have to score 40 points to win some games in spite of an “absolutely putrid” defense. He’s not sure that will even be enough.
“When you watch this in the preseason, you have to be sick to your stomach,” he said. “Because you know there’s going to be some games where you sit in the post-game press conference, that you scored 35, 38, maybe 41, and you still catch an L.”
Advertisement
ESPN Analyst Accuses Bengals Of ‘Wasting’ Joe Burrow’s Career first appeared on The Spun on Aug 19, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.