Bengals' problems run far deeper than Joe Burrow injury

The Cincinnati Bengals are going to have to figure out a way to stay competitive without superstar quarterback Joe Burrow for most of the 2025 season. It is not likely to go well. 

While the injury to Burrow is going to be an incredible hurdle to overcome, and while that might give everybody in the organization some cover if things go poorly this season, the Bengals' problems run far deeper than just the absence of their top quarterback. 

All of these issues were apparent in their ugly 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings (another team playing a backup quarterback due to injury) on Sunday.

Joe Burrow has masked the Bengals' flaws from the moment he arrived

The Bengals hit the lottery when they finished with the worst record in a season where there was an elite quarterback prospect entering the NFL, and they were well-positioned to take Burrow. His presence immediately helped turn around the Bengals' fortunes and made them an instant contender.

That is what a superstar quarterback can do.

But there still needs to be a support staff around that quarterback. 

The Bengals would like to think they provided that by giving him elite pass-catchers in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but they have failed in every other meaningful area of the roster. And that is not only what has helped put them in this predicament with Burrow, but what will ultimately hold them back even when he does return, either this season or next.

The offensive line and defense will continue to be problems

The Bengals' inability to make smart, meaningful investments in their offensive line has put Burrow's health at risk throughout his career and is a big part of what has caused him to miss so much time in his career. 

On Sunday, backup quarterback Jake Browning was sacked four times and under constant pressure, resulting in two more interceptions. All of the superstar pass-catchers in the world do not mean anything if your quarterback — whether it be the starter or backup — is under pressure. 

The defense is also a significant problem, having been one of the worst in the NFL in 2023 and 2024. It is already allowing 30.3 points per game through three weeks this season. Granted, 14 of the points against the Bengals on Sunday came with their offense on the field, but that still means they gave up 34 points to an offense led by Carson Wentz. 

When you combine a consistently bottom-five defense with a consistently bottom-level offensive line, you have a mostly bad organization that has been boosted up by a great quarterback. That's a big part of the reason why, even with Burrow, the Bengals have not regularly been able to make the playoffs, and it is a big reason why they will struggle to even remain competitive without him.