Is Joe Burrow done playing for the Bengals? For the 2025 season, he is most certainly finished since the team did not qualify for the postseason. Beyond this year, it appears to be uncertain.
The Bengals ended their 2025 season with a 20-18 loss against the Browns. Burrow completed 29 of 39 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. He also had one interception. It was a contest that saw Myles Garrett sack Burrow in a suspicious way for the sack record.
Following the game, Burrow was caught taking in the moment. He looked around the stadium like a man who believes he won’t be playing there again.
Joe Burrow even gave a peace sign to Bengals fans as he made his way into the tunnel.
Joe Burrow took several moments to stop and take it all in before leaving the field today.
Postgame, he called the #Bengals 2026 offseason the biggest of his career.
On upcoming conversations with the front office: "I think, for the most part, we're on the same page." @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/WZZnm8LWQU
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) January 4, 2026
The Bengals did not win a playoff game between 1990 and 2021. Joe Burrow showed up and changed their fortunes. Burrow and the Bengals won their first playoff game in 31 years by beating the Raiders in 2021. The team went on to play in back-to-back AFC Championship games and a Super Bowl.
However, the team has not made it to the playoffs since 2022. They have a lot more questions than answers during the offseason.