Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals face mounting pressure following consecutive 9-8 seasons that ended without playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. As the Bengals prepare for the 2025 season, Burrow under pressure amid top QB debate has intensified, especially after the team invested in long-term contracts for star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Both Chase and Higgins secured four-year deals with Cincinnati, yet a contractual impasse continues with pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. After what many have viewed as a lackluster offseason from the Bengals’ front office, Super Bowl XLV winner James Jones publicly questioned Burrow’s standing among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks just before the new campaign.

Former Champion Expresses Doubt Over Burrow’s Elite Status

On Thursday, ex-Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones weighed in on Joe Burrow’s performance, connecting his recent playoff absences to the quarterback’s impact on the team. Jones remarked on the absence of All-Pro honors or MVP awards for Burrow during these seasons, voicing skepticism about his ranking among the top tier of NFL quarterbacks.

“No All-Pros, no MVPs, and you’ve missed the playoffs two years in a row? That doesn’t mean (Joe Burrow) is not a good football player at all, but I cannot come up here confidently and say ‘Joe Burrow is still a top-four quarterback.’ I can’t put you with (Patrick Mahomes), (Lamar Jackson) and (Josh Allen).”

—James Jones, Super Bowl XLV champion and former Packers wide receiver

This critique arrives despite Burrow posting some of his best individual numbers while leading Cincinnati’s struggling defense. In his second Pro Bowl season, he led the league with career highs in completions (70.6%), passing yards (4,918), and touchdowns (43), guiding the Bengals back to the playoffs.

Monitoring the Offseason: Burrow and Chase’s Strong Chemistry at OTAs

As the Bengals build toward a playoff run in 2025, Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have shown signs of rekindling their potent on-field connection during Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Throughout the initial three days of workouts, their dynamic has impressed many observers, continuing the momentum from last season.

On Tuesday, Bengals insider Jeremy Rauch highlighted a strong play where Burrow hit Chase on a precise sideline route, demonstrating their synchronization ahead of the regular season.

Chase enters the 2025 season already in prime form, coming off one of the most remarkable receiving campaigns in recent NFL history. In 2024, he achieved the rare receiving triple crown by leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

Over 17 games, Chase accumulated 127 receptions for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning his first career first-team All-Pro designation and cementing his role as a critical offensive weapon.

What Lies Ahead for Burrow and the Bengals

The upcoming season will be crucial for Joe Burrow as he faces scrutiny over his elite status while carrying the Bengals’ hopes to break their playoff drought. With strong support from his receivers and an offseason of development, Burrow aims to elevate both his own performance and the team‘s results.

The Bengals’ front office will also be under pressure to resolve contractual challenges and strengthen the roster to support this mission. How Burrow responds to these challenges could shape Cincinnati’s trajectory and determine if the quarterback can firmly reclaim his place among the league’s top performers.