On a day the Cincinnati Bengals should have been focused on the Baltimore Ravens, the organization found itself defending a major rule violation that left fans out in the cold, literally. A controversy surfaced just before the Cincinnati Bengals hosted the Baltimore Ravens for their NFL Week 15 matchup at Paycor Stadium. Pro Football Talk (PFT) published a story accusing the Bengals organization of failing to clear snow from the stadium seats. 

“The Bengals didn’t remove snow from the seats today, in apparent violation of league policy,” they posted on X.

When PFT reached out to Joe Burrow‘s Bengals for comment on the matter, the team offered a brief defense of their snow-removal efforts. The organization stated that their crew prioritized and is in good shape for the seat aisles, implying that safety was secured. Regarding the accumulation on the individual seats, the Bengals suggested the issue was minor, as they said.

“Seats are easily wiped off, and ushers are equipped to help there,” said the Bengals.

Despite the Bengals’ response statement, PFT emphasized that the NFL’s official snow-removal rule is clear and mandatory. Some fans on Reddit even speculated that it might be cheaper to pay the fine than to pay for the snow cleanup. 

Other NFL teams have faced snow-clearing issues in the past, though rarely as high-profile as the Bengals. The Bills’ 2024 playoff game against the Steelers saw fans digging snow out of their own seats despite crew efforts. Similarly, a 2013 Browns home game left many seating areas covered, forcing fans to clear their spots before kickoff.

The NFL has a strict and mandatory rule regarding snow removal for all home teams. This rule holds the host club entirely responsible for having a detailed snow removal plan and ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready before a game. The primary goal is to make sure all parts of the stadium are cleared of snow and ice before the game begins.

This required cleanup is comprehensive. It applies not just to the playing field, but also to all areas used by the public and teams, including the sidelines, seating areas, aisles, walkways, ramps, and parking lots. Furthermore, the rule specifically forbids simply pushing the snow into piles that block the stadium walls or interfere with how the game or team operations run on the sidelines.

In this case, Pro Football Talk (PFT) highlighted that the Cincinnati Bengals appeared to have violated this official policy. Based on an image shared by PFT, it was clear that the required snow removal had not been completed, particularly in the seating area, which is an explicit requirement of the league’s rules.

NFL Insider shuts down rumors that indicated a possible Joe Burrow trade

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow recently sparked controversy after his team’s struggles prompted candid comments about his future. The Bengals are likely to miss the playoffs with their current score of 4-9 before the week 15 game this season. Burrow this season has also been dealing with a turf toe injury. 

“It doesn’t change my desire to win,” Burrow admitted in a presser. “If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”

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The comments quickly led to a lot of talk and speculation on social media that Burrow might want to be traded to a better team or even step away from football. However, a respected NFL reporter, Dianna Russini of The Athletic, quickly shut down the trade rumors. 

“The answer is no. Burrow, I’m told, hasn’t asked for a trade or even hinted at stepping away,” Russini reported. “Of course, he would be a dream come true for any coach trying to win. He’s the quarterback who makes people in buildings whisper, “If I had Joe Burrow …” or “Imagine life with Joe Burrow … .” So if you hear noise about him wanting out of Cincinnati, remember: Everyone wants a Joe Burrow. The chatter about him leaving is mostly fueled by those dreaming of a blockbuster trade.”

In short, while Joe Burrow is clearly frustrated with losing, he is an ultra-competitive player who is not looking to quit or switch teams right now. He is expected to stay with the Bengals, and his comments seem to reflect his passion for winning, not a desire to leave Cincinnati.

The latest 24-0 loss to the Ravens has made the overall picture of the season even bleaker, knocking the Bengals out of playoff contention. The defeat highlighted both on-field struggles and off-field distractions, adding pressure on Burrow and the coaching staff moving forward.