Joe Burrow and Gilligan have a lot in common. Both sometimes wear somewhat goofy hats. And above all, the two are alone on their island.
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In fact, on Gilligan’s Island there is also the captain, the millionaire and his wife. Burrow is surrounded by more than fifty teammates and a dozen coaches. The fact remains that all attention is focused on the two protagonists when the time comes to find a solution to escape from the prison in which they found themselves despite themselves.
Last week, Burrow’s comments at a press conference went around the football world. “To continue playing, I must experience pleasure. I’ve seen all colors. If it’s not fun, what’s the point? Burrow said, hesitating before saying each word, as if weighing them.
PHOTO KAREEM ELGAZZAR, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Quarterback Joe Burrow (9) faces CJ Okoye (91) of the Baltimore Ravens
He insisted: “There’s a lot going on at the moment. Really a lot. »
A reporter asked him if it had to do with football or his personal life. “Both,” Burrow snapped.
In the meantime, the Bengals continue to lose. A few days after Burrow’s press conference, the Bengals fell to the Baltimore Ravens at home. A 24-0 defeat, without appeal. The quarterback threw two interceptions and no touchdown passes.
The Bengals are eliminated. This winter, the organization will have to help its quarterback. The biggest challenge, however, will be convincing him that playing for this team is worth it.
Seduction operation
Burrow was selected first overall in the 2020 draft by the Bengals. He had to be the savior. The following season, the Bengals made it to the Super Bowl. It was then believed that Burrow’s team would become the new American powerhouse.
However, the Bengals have participated in the playoffs only once since.
Worse still, Burrow’s health deteriorated as much as the Bengals’ chances of becoming the new New England Patriots.
PHOTO JEFF DEAN, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joe Burrow
On November 22, 2020, a knee injury caused him to miss six games. On January 2, 2022, another knee injury caused him to miss a game. On November 16, 2023, a right wrist injury caused him to miss seven games. On September 14, 2025, a toe injury caused him to miss nine games.
All injuries suffered after contact behind the line of scrimmage. Since wearing the Tiger uniform, Burrow has never been able to play behind a quality offensive line.
Between 2020 and 2024, the Bengals’ offensive line has always been between the 22e and the 32e leaderboard position for pressure and sacks allowed. She is 12e this season.
During the offseason, the team did not sign any starters on the offensive line. In the last five years, through their 40 selections, the Bengals have taken a chance on eight offensive linemen in the draft. But only two in the first two rounds. Only right tackle Amarius Mims (2024) plays as a starter.
On another note, Burrow has never had the privilege of playing with a dominant running back.
Jalen Hurts has Saquon Barkley, Jordan Love has Josh Jacobs, Justin Herbert has Omarion Hampton. And Burrow has Chase Brown, who has never reached the 1,000-yard rushing plateau. The Bengals’ offense is one-dimensional, as the ground game does not pose a threat. In 2025, Cincinnati is the team that passes the most (65.5% of games) and runs the least (34.5%). The more Burrow has to pass, the more the team puts its franchise player at risk.
This winter, the Bengals will need to improve at all positions. Except those of quarterbacks and receivers. Either way, Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins already take up 33.5% of the team’s payroll.
A question of contract
Burrow can be tired, exhausted and discouraged. But because of his contract, he will have to be patient.
If Burrow did like Andrew Luck and retired early or demanded a trade and left at the end of the season, the Bengals would still keep the $56.3 million the organization owes Burrow on payroll. What we call in English the dead cap.
And with the NFL payroll set at $279.2 million, Burrow’s contract would take 20 percent of the team’s payroll without him playing there. The chances are slim, therefore, that the Bengals will get rid of their quarterback.
According to the specialized site Sportrac, the best year for a divorce between the Bengals and Burrow would be in 2028, since the impact on payroll would be “only” $15 million.
So the Bengals are stuck with Burrow. Or Burrow is stuck with the Bengals, it depends.
