Burrow’s instant reaction to Bengals offense’s rocky preseason opener

The Cincinnati Bengals passed their first NFL preseason test on Thursday, as they thwarted the Detroit Lions in a 16-14 victory at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. However, star quarterback Joe Burrow seems far from satisfied with the team’s offense.

“What you can do is evaluate the rest of what you get and grow and learn from it,” the former LSU Tigers star signal-caller said following the game ( h/t Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer).

Burrow appeared in a total of 13 snaps, throwing for 39 passing yards with zero touchdowns and no interceptions on 5-of-6 pass completions. It did not start well for him, as he was sacked on the Bengals’ opening drive.

As a team, Cincinnati generated 256 total yards and averaged only 4.2 yards per pass and 3.1 yards per rushing attempt.

Preseason games are mere exhibition games, more focused on evaluating players, giving the starters some reps and experimentation than actually winning games. That said, the Bengals can still do better in the preseason.

Apart from Burrow, three other quarterbacks saw action versus the Lions, including Joe Flacco, who went 5-of-8 for 51 passing yards and a touchdown without a pick. Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver and rookie Jack Endries caught the touchdown, while kicker Evan McPherson, perhaps the one who shone the most for Cincinnati, made all three of his field-goal attempts and the lone extra-point try.

The Bengals still have two more preseason games to play, where they can further iron out their offense. Cincinnati will next face the Chicago Bears, still at Paycor Stadium in Week 2 of the preseason, before playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia in the finale.

After that, it’s all about preparation for Week 1 of the 2026 season, with Cincinnati taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home on Sept. 13.