Joe Burrow faces potential make-or-break season after Bengals, LSU comparison

That was the year the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback had arguably the greatest college football season of all time, throwing for an unbelievable 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns en route to a national championship victory. LSU did have an outstanding wide receiver group, led by Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, just like these Bengals do, but that’s about where the similarities end.

Burrow went on to speak about how he wants there to be pressure on him and his teammates, and now, he’ll certainly get his wish. Cincinnati has somewhat been forgotten since more people seem to blame the team’s defense and coach more than the quarterback, but now, he is inviting expectations and pressure on himself.

Joe Burrow has a lot to prove after Bengals-LSU comparison

That’s a risky move for Burrow to make considering the fact that he’s missed 16 games in total over the last three seasons and campaigned for the team to concentrate its cap space on Chase and fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins. The Bengals star has helped to handicap the team financially and hasn’t been available enough to give them a realistic shot at actually competing for something meaningful.

To make matters worse, Bengals coach Zac Taylor isn’t bad, but hasn’t proven to be much more than mediocre, yet Burrow also urged the team to keep him. Now, the former college star has the team and the coach around him that he pleaded for, he’s brought the attention to himself that he’s been wanting for years, and now, it’s time for him to deliver.

Another season of unfulfilled expectations and disappointment could lead to drastic roster changes and would almost assuredly bring a coaching change. Cincinnati has invested in this iteration of a team that hasn’t produced results for too long, and with Burrow’s comments, it feels like a do-or-die season if he wants to keep this group around him.