Stephen A. Smith feels the upcoming season will be “make or break” for Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow finished the 2024 season with NFL CPOY after leading the league in passing touchdowns and yards.
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Joe Burrow, Stephen A. Smith (Images via The New Yorker/CNN)
The Cincinnati Bengals came so close to making the playoffs, following a mathematical chance to covet the final wildcard spot in Week 18. The Bengals, led by the resilient power of Joe Burrow and his two offensive weapons finished eighth behind the Denver Broncos.
Joe Burrow, who spent most of the 2023-24 season on the sidelines, was honored with the Comeback Player of the Year at the NFL Honors. Burrow also made the MVP finalists after finishing the season with 43 touchdowns and 4,918 yards through the air – leading the league in both categories.
However, Joe Burrow’s struggles in leading his team to the postseason, combined with a rocky start to the season, have drawn heavy criticism toward the young quarterback. Adding to the concerns, the contract drama surrounding key offensive players—along with Burrow’s stance on the matter—has fueled speculation about his potential departure.
In a recent episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith weighed in on Burrow’s future as he heads into the 2025 season. When host Molly Qerim asked whether the upcoming season was a “make-or-break” year for the LSU product, Smith didn’t hesitate to agree.
I think it’s going to be because, we know there’s no question about the skillset 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 highlighted
Smith also emphasized Burrow’s repeated calls for the Bengals to extend wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is approaching the end of his contract. However, Smith acknowledged the financial dilemma facing the team, noting that the Bengals will likely have to part ways with Higgins to prioritize paying Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson.
He also took aim at team owner Mike Brown, criticizing him for his frugal approach to team spending. Echoing Smith’s sentiments, panelist Harry Douglas famously coined a new nickname for the Bengals.
Call them the ‘Cheap-innati Bengals’, because they don’t want to pay people. But it’s hindering and hurting Joe Burrow and this team collectively from getting where they want to go.
Harry Douglas quipped
"Call them the 'Cheap-innati Bengals', because they don't want to pay people." 😳 @HDouglas83 and @stephenasmith on Joe Burrow's future with the Cincinnati Bengals 👀 pic.twitter.com/nLpS4xifIg
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 18, 2025
Stephen A. Smith wants Joe Burrow to request trade from the Bengals
Molly Qerim, the co-host asked whether Joe Burrow should request a trade if Mike Brown is unwilling to spend money. Stephen A. Smith expressed that Burrow should and will attempt to shift his team – addressing that Burrow isn’t going to be a quarterback for a team that’s not trying to win.
I think that he should and that he will. The Joe Burrow we met at Super Bowl week and the Joe Burrow we’ve seen talking in front of the microphone, he’s made it a point to be very conspicuous in his positions. He’s letting them know he’s not happy, and he’s not going to stand pat. He’s not about to be a quarterback for a franchise that ain’t trying to win.
Stephen A. Smith added
The Bengals, facing a tough offseason, has missed the playoffs twice in a row. They started last season with heartbreaking upset against the New England Patriots. The dismal start came to hurt them in the end despite Burrow transforming into a beast to finish the season with five straight wins.
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Mohammed Bazim
(514 Articles Published)