{"id":129062,"date":"2025-06-14T10:48:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T10:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/129062\/"},"modified":"2025-06-14T10:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T10:48:12","slug":"jermaine-burton-working-on-fresh-start-with-cincinnati-bengals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/129062\/","title":{"rendered":"Jermaine Burton working on fresh start with Cincinnati Bengals"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Cincinnati Bengals concluded their offseason program with mandatory minicamp this week, wide receiver Jermaine Burton<\/a> showed up with a new, closely cropped haircut.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just knew it was time for a fresh start with me,\u201d Burton told <\/a>reporters in the locker room on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Burton is preparing for his second NFL season. As third-round draft pick from Alabama<\/a> in 2024, Burton had a rookie season that featured being demoted three times to game-day inactive (once for missing a meeting and a walkthrough<\/a> and again for a domestic incident involving the police<\/a>), court action involving an eviction<\/a> and four receptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned a lot of things last year,\u201d Burton said<\/a>. \u201cBut, you know, you really got to be a professional in this league.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burton said<\/a> the situation had caused him \u201csleepless nights,\u201d but \u201cit\u2019s something that I moved on from and grew from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burton\u2019s solution for last year\u2019s problems is \u201cbeing consistent<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like that\u2019s the No. 1 thing no matter what you do in the professional job that you are doing,\u201d Burton said<\/a>. \u201cI just feel like being consistent is the No. 1 thing, and I feel like that\u2019s one thing I lacked last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Developing a routine this offseason has been important to finding that consistency, Burton said. <\/p>\n

\u201cComing up to the facility, doing different things on your off time,\u201d Burton said<\/a>, \u201cwhether it could be something little, but as long as you, I feel like, just continue to do something — staying in the playbook, talking over things with your teammates, the coaches — I feel like it just overall puts you in a better headspace. \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I should just do everything that I can control. And that\u2019s pretty much what I do on the field and off the field, so I\u2019m just trying my best to be the best player I can be — just coming up with better habits, better routines and just trying to stay consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burton said he\u2019s also more comfortable in 2025 than he was in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve created a lot of bonds,\u201d Burton said<\/a>, \u201crelationships with these guys over the course of the offseason. Even coming back, you know, whether it\u2019s going out to eat, chilling with them, playing a game, talking ball, in here laughing, joking, all rehabbing together. I feel like I\u2019ve really got closer with the guys, and I feel like we have a lot of great things in store.\u201d<\/p>\n

In two seasons at Alabama, Burton had 79 receptions for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns and four rushing attempts for 50 yards. With the Bengals in 2024, Burton had four receptions for 107 yards and a 29.1-yard average on 13 kickoff returns.<\/p>\n

The Bengals return from their summer break for the first practice of training camp on July 23. Cincinnati kicks off its three-game preseason schedule against the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 7.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really focused on this year,\u201d Burton said<\/a>, \u201cfocused on this team, focused on what I could do for them and focused on creating a better relationship with my guys, and that\u2019s all I\u2019m pretty much worried about. And I feel like things are going pretty good right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

FOR MORE OF AL.COM\u2019S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE<\/a><\/p>\n

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1<\/a>.<\/p>\n