Jermaine Burton Reflects on Collaborating with Joe Burrow and Joining the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals addressed several roster gaps this offseason through free agency and the NFL draft. One significant addition was Jermaine Burton, selected in the third round to compete for the WR3 position. With Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase absent recently, Burton has maximized his time working closely with quarterback Joe Burrow.
“He’s the guy, so it’s whatever he feels on a lot of details and splits and adjustments on certain coverages, a lot of stuff like that,” Burton explained. “As long as you can just hone in and pay attention to the little details, I think you’ll have a successful time with Joe Burrow.”
Burton joins other young receivers like Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones, aiming to fill the Tyler Boyd role. The Alabama rookie, celebrated for his performance with the Crimson Tide, is considered by some as Cincinnati’s draft steal.
Since drafting superstar quarterback Joe Burrow first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals have evolved into consistent Super Bowl contenders. Burrow’s rapid rise to one of the NFL’s top players has fueled this transformation. The ongoing debate centers around how much of this success should be attributed to Burrow versus the coaching staff.
Recently, USA Today’s Jarrett Bailey ranked the NFL head coaches, placing Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor seventh. Taylor ranked behind John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens and ahead of Detroit Lions’ Dan Campbell. Bailey suggested that Taylor hasn’t received enough credit for revitalizing an offense that stagnated under Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis throughout the 2010s.
While Taylor’s role in the Bengals’ turnaround is acknowledged, some argue he has hindered more than helped. Burrow is seen as the primary architect of the team’s success, particularly after leading them to the Super Bowl in 2021. Critics argue Burrow might have won the Super Bowl if the coaching staff and front office had better protected him throughout the season.
The offensive line has been a notable weakness, often performing poorly despite significant investments. Taylor has struggled to enhance this unit, with recent free-agent signings and draft picks failing to deliver expected improvements. The blame for these issues is debated between Taylor and the front office.
In 2021, the Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick, bypassing the opportunity to strengthen their offensive line with tackle Penei Sewell. While Chase has become one of the league’s top receivers, Sewell has developed into an elite offensive tackle. With Sewell, Burrow might have faced fewer injuries, possibly leading Cincinnati to a Super Bowl victory.
Taylor’s tenure includes other contentious decisions, such as signing safety Nick Scott, offensive tackle Orlando Brown, and tight end Irv Smith Jr., which have not yielded the desired results. Despite a strong emergence in 2021, the Bengals have regressed in the past two seasons, a downturn attributed to Taylor’s offensive strategy.
As a former quarterback, Taylor’s preference for a pass-heavy offense is understandable but has exposed weaknesses in other areas. The running game has diminished, and the defense was one of the league’s worst last season. While Taylor has earned credit for his achievements, he has not fully faced criticism for his shortcomings as a head coach.
In summary, Jermaine Burton’s entry into the Bengals offers a fresh dynamic, especially with his work alongside Joe Burrow. However, the team’s success hinges on addressing ongoing issues, particularly the offensive line and broader team balance, areas where Zac Taylor’s impact continues to be scrutinized.
