ESPN Analyst Blasts Cincinnati Bengals For Failing QB Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow has done everything in his power to elevate the Cincinnati Bengals since being drafted first overall in 2020. From leading the team to the Super Bowl in his second season to nearly hitting the 5,000-yard mark last year, Burrow has been nothing short of phenomenal. However, according to ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, the Bengals are failing their superstar quarterback, and time is running out to capitalize on his prime.

Riddick’s pointed critique on Get Up centered around the Bengals’ seemingly lackluster roster construction, particularly a four-year stretch of abysmal offensive line play. With Cincinnati narrowly missing the playoffs last year and key positional issues still unresolved, Riddick’s comments feel both timely and alarming for a franchise with lofty Super Bowl aspirations.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Heart of Louis Riddick’s Critique

Riddick didn’t mince words. He labeled the Bengals’ roster-building efforts as insufficient to contend consistently at the highest level. “The organization right now is failing to build a strong 53-man roster that can compete with the elite teams,” Riddick said.

His criticism starts—and perhaps ends—with the offensive line. Despite marginal investments in recent years, such as a third-round pick in this year’s draft, the unit remains among the NFL’s worst. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Bengals’ offensive line ranked dead last (32nd) in pass-block win rate in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive season it has finished 25th or worse.

For a quarterback as talented as Burrow, that level of protection—or lack thereof—is simply unacceptable.

Why Offensive Line Play Matters Most

An elite quarterback can mask some flaws on a football team, but even the best QBs are not immune to the effects of relentless pressure. Burrow’s improvisational ability and trademark poise made him a magician during his incredible playoff run in 2021, but magic isn’t sustainable in the long run.

At 26 years old, Burrow is entering what should be the most productive years of his career, but his growth could be stymied if Cincinnati fails to protect him. The numbers are sobering—Burrow has been sacked a league-high 124 times over the past two seasons. Behind a porous offensive line, not only does he face unnecessary physical punishment, but the offensive rhythm and game plan also suffer, limiting the team’s ceiling in high-stakes matchups.

Riddick described Burrow as “a top two, top three most talented thrower in the league,” making it all the more frustrating to see his prime years potentially squandered due to inadequate support. Building around a generational quarterback isn’t just about talent evaluation—it’s a responsibility to maximize the window when a player of Burrow’s caliber can compete for championships.

A One-Dimensional Roster

While it’s true the Cincinnati Bengals have assembled an impressive group of skill position players in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, Riddick argued that this focus has come at the expense of balance.

Cincinnati’s defense struggled mightily last season, finishing 25th in both points and yards allowed. The lack of a consistent pass rush made it difficult to contain high-powered offenses, putting even more pressure on Burrow to keep pace. One key defender, who accounted for nearly half of the team’s sacks in 2024, has already expressed dissatisfaction with his role, leaving the defensive front in an even more precarious position heading into 2025.

Championship teams are built on depth and consistency across all three phases of the game; Riddick’s critique highlights that Cincinnati is still a step behind the NFL’s elite in these areas.

What Needs to Change

The Cincinnati Bengals’ recent offseason approach has done little to address their glaring weaknesses. Beyond the limited investment in offensive line upgrades, the team’s other areas of concern—most notably, depth on defense—remain unaddressed.

Riddick’s comments serve as a clarion call to Bengals leadership, particularly ownership. The Brown family, long criticized for its frugality, faces mounting pressure to provide Burrow with a Super Bowl-caliber roster before his window of dominance begins to close.

“If you’re going to have this guy, this franchise-defining player, you have to spend to maximize those years,” one AFC scout emphasized. “Every year wasted without a legitimate push is a year closer to seeing your quarterback go elsewhere.”

The Clock Is Ticking

Joe Burrow isn’t just any other quarterback. He embodies the kind of talent that can set a franchise apart and deliver sustained success. But as Louis Riddick warned, that talent comes with an expiration date. Whether due to physical toll, diminished confidence, or the simple passage of time, Burrow’s prime years won’t last forever.

Cincinnati must reevaluate its priorities and take bold steps to surround Burrow with the protection and complementary pieces he needs. Anything less risks transforming the Cincinnati Bengals’ current core from a championship contender into a what-could-have-been cautionary tale.

The 2025 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Bengals. Will they address their glaring shortcomings and position themselves as legitimate Super Bowl threats? Or will they continue to lean on Burrow’s brilliance, hoping that sheer talent alone can paper over fundamental flaws?

For Riddick, the answer is clear—the Bengals are wasting Burrow’s prime. It’s a reality Cincinnati may no longer be able to afford to ignore.