Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Joe Burrow's latest comments should scare opposing defenses

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 5:52 PM ET

After a phenomenal year in 2024, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow hinted he could be even better in 2025.

Burrow, 28, led the NFL in passing yards (4,918 in 17 games) and touchdown passes (43) last season, winning Comeback Player of the Year for a second time. (He suffered a season-ending right wrist injury in 2023).

The QB has remained healthy in training camp thus far, growing his confidence heading into the season.

"For myself, I expect to be close to perfect," Burrow told NFL Media's Tom Pelissero Thursday. "I think I'm at that level at this point."

“For myself, I expect to be close to perfect. I think I’m at that level at this point.”

My full interview with Joe Burrow after a spirited #Bengals practice on Inside Training Camp Live @nflnetwork: pic.twitter.com/PjoTpJv9wR
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 31, 2025

Burrow's weapons are returning. The Bengals extended wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase (four years, $161M) and Tee Higgins (four years, $115M) this offseason. They combined for 27 TD catches last season.

Burrow also indicated third-year WR Charlie Jones could break out this season, making the deep position group even more dangerous.

"We're as deep at the wide receiver position as we've been since I've been here," the sixth-year QB said. "When somebody goes down, you can put somebody right there that we have a lot of faith in."

Cincinnati's offense isn't the reason it missed the playoffs for a second straight season in 2024. The Bengals scored the league's sixth-most points (27.8). Their defense, however, tied for 25th in points allowed (25.5).

Re-signing EDGE Trey Hendrickson — entering the final year of his contract — would certainly help the unit improve. The pass-rusher isn't practicing until he signs a new deal.

Regardless, the Bengals can still count on Burrow, a preseason MVP candidate.

As of Thursday, he and Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen are tied for the second-best MVP odds (+600) behind Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (+430), per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Burrow was already difficult to stop. With the increased swagger, imagine what he could do. Good luck to defensive coordinators who face the two-time Pro Bowler this upcoming season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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