The Cincinnati Bengals decided, against the objection of the majority of fans, to sit Joe Burrow against the Patriots and wait until at least the game against the Baltimore Ravens this Thursday to bring him back. Many reports stated that Burrow wanted to play, but the Bengals and Zac Taylor decided that getting him back and letting him play two games in four days wasn’t the plan, and they ultimately lost to the Patriots.
What Did the Bengals Lose by Waiting To Bring Joe Burrow Back?
The Bengals ultimately lost their game to the Patriots this week and fell to 3-8 on the season. The loss likely ended any slim chances the Bengals had of making the playoffs. While not mathematically eliminated, the Bengals have a 1.1% chance of making the playoffs now, according to PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter.
The Bengals weren’t guaranteed to win that game by any means if Burrow had played against the Patriots. He’s known as a slow starter, and he would have almost assuredly shown some rust. We will never know if he would have been able to lead the Bengals to a victory, but we do know that without him, they lost.
In addition to losing their hopes of making the playoffs, the Bengals also likely lost some fan interest in games later in the season. The fans stayed extremely engaged with the team until the very end last season, even though they didn’t make the playoffs. Part of that was that they still had a chance all the way until the final week. They aren’t likely to have that this year, and fan interest could dwindle.
What Does Joe Burrow’s Return Mean to the Bengals Now?
It would be incorrect to say that Burrow’s return means nothing to the Bengals and their fans. Seeing him play is something that fans enjoy, and the players rally around him. While Joe Flacco was solid for a few games for the Bengals, his QB impact score was 68.4, which was better than Jake Browning’s 48.9. However, neither comes close to Burrow’s impact score of 83.4 for the 2024 season.
As much as Burrow would represent an improvement at the quarterback position — and as much as fans want to see him — an important question remains. With little hope that his return would mean anything beyond a worse draft pick, does it truly hold significance, and should it happen?
The answer to that question depends on whom you ask. Many fans insist it absolutely matters and argue that he should have already returned. They contend that simply watching entertaining football and winning a few extra games is worth the risk.
Others argue that he should not return at all this year. They believe that winning a few additional games and sacrificing draft position is more harmful to the team than beneficial. This does not even account for the risk of Burrow reinjuring his toe or sustaining another injury due to limited mobility.
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Ultimately, the meaning of Joe Burrow’s return to the Bengals depends entirely on whom you ask.
