Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow stated he "feels it in his bones" that the team has a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl this season. Burrow, appearing on the debut episode of teammate Ja'Marr Chase's podcast "Chasing No 1," emphasized a singular focus on winning.
"I just want to win this year. I just want to win," Burrow said. He noted that a different energy was present throughout the offseason, distinct from previous years. This feeling, he explained, stems from additions to the defense, which he believes complement the existing offense.
"We brought in a lot of the right guys, a lot of the right people with the right mindsets to go and chase this goal of winning a Super Bowl and winning as many games as we can and being the best possible team that we can," Burrow said. He specifically mentioned the defensive line and the overall defensive unit as contributors to this newfound energy.
Chase echoed Burrow's sentiments, agreeing that the veteran additions to the defense have created a noticeable difference. He expressed approval of the defense's increased assertiveness, drawing parallels to the team's 2021 season.
"I like the fact that our defense is talking a little trash. I like that," Chase said. "I don't know if it's me pissing everybody off but I do like the fact that they talking for themselves. That's what we need. It lowkey feels like 2021 all over again."
Burrow highlighted the acquisition of defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence as a particular point of excitement. He described Lawrence, a former Giants star traded to Cincinnati, as a "quiet" and "soft spoken" individual upon their first meeting. Burrow recalled the trade, which involved the 10th overall pick in the 2026 draft, as an unusual move for the franchise.
"I know the fans were excited. I was just as excited," Burrow said. "I'm excited to see what the D-line can do this year."
The Bengals have not made the playoffs in the last three seasons. Burrow has navigated injuries during this period, including turf toe last season. The team aims to recapture the success of 2021 and 2022, when they reached the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship game, respectively.