Joe Burrow shares bold comparison for 2026 Bengals

In 2019, Joe Burrow guided the Bayou Bengals at LSU to one of the greatest national championship seasons in college football history. Heading into the 2026 season, he's seeing similarities to that squad in the Cincinnati Bengals.

On Wednesday, Burrow spoke with reporters during the second day of the team's mandatory minicamp. He offered high praise based on what he's seen so far, sharing that the energy around the Bengals is comparable to what he felt at LSU heading into the team's 15-0 2019 season.

That year, Burrow won the Heisman Trophy while throwing for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and six interceptions, and LSU won its third national title since 2003.

Joe Burrow shares lofty comparison for Cincinnati Bengals heading into 2026 season

In his comments, Burrow said, "You go back and watch what I said before the 2019 season at LSU. I feel very similarly about this team... I feel like there's so much greatness we'll be able to achieve this year that I'm just excited to get going." (h/t ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby)

At SEC media days in July 2019, Burrow shared enthusiasm over the state of the offense under then-offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and first-year pass game assistant Joe Brady, now the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, "We're still going to have some of that smash mouth LSU football, but I think we're evolving a little bit," per the Ville Platte Gazette.

That undersold things, as the Tigers went from fielding a largely pedestrian offense to one of the most explosive in recent memory. His LSU teammate, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has also been with him in Cincinnati since being drafted in 2021, and their strong connection is one of several reasons the Bengals have to be excited for 2026.

Since 2021, only Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson — another member of that 2019 LSU squad — has more receiving yards than Chase's 6,837. The former college teammates are also two of three receivers with an active streak of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons along with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, according to Stathead research.

During the offseason, the Bengals worked aggressively to address a defense that has been among the league's worst the past three seasons, including spoiling Burrow's epic 2024 when he led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Cincinnati traded for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signed lineman Jonathan Allen, safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe in free agency.

But even with an improved defense, the team will only go as far as Burrow takes it, making his health of paramount importance after missing extended time due to injury in three of six NFL seasons. 

The Bengals have a long way to go to experience the success Burrow and Chase had seven years ago at LSU, yet their quarterback's comments suggest they're on the right track.