3 reasons why the 2025 NFL season will be ‘make or break’ for Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow is considered a top 5 quarterback even after playing just two seasons of playoff football. In those campaigns, the Bengals played in a Super Bowl and two AFC Championship games.

The Bengals saw enough to make him the highest-paid player in the franchise and one of the highest-paid in NFL history. Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension ($55 million per year) in 2023.

Burrow was set to enter his prime years with money in the bank and a team to target the Super Bowl. Ten games into the 2023 season, Burrow injured his throwing hand, and the Bengals failed to qualify for the playoffs.

There was a renewed optimism at the start of 2024. Higgins stayed for another year, and Burrow had the offensive firepower to launch a full-frontal assault on the league. On this occasion, the defense acted like Swiss cheese every game.

Burrow finished the campaign with a career-high 460 completions for 4918 yards (70.6% completion rate) and 43 passing touchdowns. He also set an NFL record with a 68.6 completion rate after playing five seasons of pro football.

The Bengals team, however, boasted the 8th worst defense in the league last season, giving up 53 touchdowns and third from bottom in defending red zone passes in 17 games.

Burrow wasn’t the only one who went nuclear on the offense. Ja’Marr Chase recorded a triple crown by catching 127 passes for 1708 yards and 17 touchdowns. Tee Higgins contributed with 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. After the season, the Bengals rewarded the pair with lucrative contract extensions.

Now if Burrow doesn’t produce a winning season, then the Bengals might move on from him.

Time is running out for Joe Burrow

In July 2024, former NFL player and the host of FS1’s Emmanuel Acho suggested that the 2024-25 season could prove to be the make-or-break season for Joe Burrow. Acho labeled Burrow as the second-best quarterback in the NFL right after Patrick Mahomes.

Acho also put Burrow ahead of once-Cincinnati favorite Carson Wentz. However, he threw caution to the wind because of the inflated contract that he penned a year before.

The parallel I’m drawing is this is one of those two years Burrow has been hurt. Two years (ago) he’s gone to the AFC Championship Game. What will you do in that ever so pivotal year five?

Emmanuel Acho said

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith echoed Acho’s words recently. Stephen A. believes the 2025-26 season is a make or break year for Burrow.

I think it’s going to be because, we know there’s no question about the skill-set Joe Burrow brings to the table. I mean, when you consider some of his numbers, some of them of all-time, you look at the numbers in December.

Stephen A. Smith said

Burrow shattered records following Acho’s remarks, but the former Eagle’s words are still valid even today and will stay that way throughout the 2025 season. That’s because Burrow can’t afford to slow down. He has to continue to give MVP-level performances to make sure the Bengals stay relevant.

It’s not easy to win in the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and DeAndre Hopkins are bound to make life hard. The Pittsburgh Steelers are only missing a quarterback and a running back. Aaron Rodgers and Breece Hall are constantly linked with the team from Pennsylvania. Adding Rodgers is bound to make them a team to watch out for.

Bengals’ monetary issues

The Bengals spent a lot to sign three players. And they have to keep paying them for the next two years at the very least. This exponentially limits the Brown family’s spending potential to fix their defense. Unless the defense is fixed, the Bengals will continue to suffer no matter how good Burrow, Chase, and Higgins are.

Brown is already facing trouble extending sacking Trey Hendrickson’s contract. Hendrickson wants a deal north of $30 million, but the Bengals aren’t ready to pay him just yet.

Not only that, they haven’t drafted well either. Pro Football Focus graded the Bengals in the bottom half (23rd).

The Bengals tried to rely heavily on their new players but didn’t receive many tangible results from rookies. “First-round tackle Amarius Mims struggled, producing only a 57.8 PFF overall grade while allowing 33 pressures. Other Day 2 picks Kris Jenkins (45.4 overall PFF grade) and Jermaine Burton (59.4 PFF receiving grade) did little to assuage that.

PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote

Locker isn’t a fan of this trend from the Bengals.

Bengals moving to new stadium

It’s entirely possible that the Bengals won’t reside in Cincinnati by the time Burrow’s contract runs out. The Paycor Stadium has been an iconic place to host NFL games since 2000, but the owners have discussed finding a new home ground.

We love where we are… I think that’s a great thing for the city. I think [the] location [of the] stadium right now is good. [But] We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year if we didn’t pick the option up.

Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice president, told the Cincinnati Inquirer

The Bengals fans, especially, would love to see their favorite team win a Super Bowl before they move away. The trio of Burrow, Chase, and Higgins is their best bet of winning their first-ever Lombardi Trophy.