Bengals Look to Retool Around Burrow After Playoff Drought

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The Cincinnati Bengals are under pressure to win in 2026 after missing three straight postseasons with star quarterback Joe Burrow. Panic set in around the team in December following Burrow's cryptic comments, which he later clarified had nothing to do with the team. However, the Bengals must find a way to retool and build a winning team around their franchise quarterback.

Why it matters

The Bengals have struggled to find success in recent years despite having a superstar quarterback in Burrow. As he enters his prime, the team faces mounting pressure to build a contender around him and end their playoff drought.

The details

The Bengals have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons with Burrow as their starting quarterback. This has led to growing concerns and speculation about the team's direction, especially after Burrow's cryptic comments in December that he later clarified. The team must now focus on retooling the roster and putting the right pieces in place to support their franchise QB and get back to the playoffs.

• The Bengals have missed the playoffs for the past three seasons (2023-2025).
• In December 2025, Burrow made some cryptic comments that caused concern around the team, though he later clarified they were not about the Bengals.