Joe Burrow is the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, and with that, he entered the NFL with many expectations of gathering more laurels under his name. Yet, the last six seasons didn’t go as per the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback’s plans. But heading into the 2026 season, Burrow appears confident (quite vocally), which prompted a reaction from Bengals legend Chad Johnson.
“I want Joe to simmer down a little bit. That’s all,” Johnson said on the Nightcap Podcast. “Just simmer down a little bit, you know. Speak a little bit more positivity, you know, into the world. I just think it creates an unnecessary storm when things don’t go well because you’re doing all the talking, and then when things don’t go well.
“Obviously you are the quarterback. It’s always on you when things don’t go well, but you make it worse with some of the things you’re saying before the season even starts. Gives everybody ammunition when things don’t go well.”
Chad Johnson has the firsthand experience of being vocal about the future and it getting backfired on him. To be precise, during the 2002 NFL season, predicted the winless Bengals (0-7) would beat the Houston Texans, which they did, 38-3.
But, emboldened, Johnson guaranteed another victory two weeks later against the Cleveland Browns. Instead, the Bengals lost the game 20-27.
Joe Burrow appeared in a similar demeanor a few days back. More or less, he seemed confident about his team heading into the 2026 season, after two preseason games, where they defeated the Detroit Lions 16-14 and the Chicago Bears 27-9.
“I think guys want to go out and be great,” Burrow told reporters. “If you don’t have urgency on the day-to-day to get better and go and attack every single drill and rep with the intent to get better, you’re not going to get there. So we have the team to do it this year, and so we have to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Joe Burrow has been part of the Cincinnati Bengals since 2020. However, apart from the 2021 season, when the franchise reached the Super Bowl LVI final and lost against the LA Rams 20-23, they have not come near the Lombardi.
Burrow has been one of the consistent performers on the Bengals roster. The 29-year-old QB has thrown for 20,810 yards while posting 157 touchdowns in 77 regular-season appearances since 2020. Yet, every time, the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner bows out of the season with disappointment.
Considering that, and after three consecutive playoff appearances in the last three years, Burrow has publicly expressed that the 2026 season will be the year when the Bengals will win the Super Bowl.
“You know, I’m tired of saying ‘next year, next year, next year,’” Burrow said on Thursday. “This is it. Life is too short to keep pushing things down the road. I’m trying to instill some urgency and intensity in everybody to go and be great every day, and trying to make it happen.”
A highly motivated Joe Burrow’s confidence comes from the squad he has for the 2026 season. All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II, alongside defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and veteran safety Bryan Cook on defense. Then, playmakers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the offense. With all these pieces, Burrow is confident of getting the job done.
However, Chad Johnson, who spent 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a wide receiver, wants Joe Burrow to refrain from making future predictions before they even enter the regular season and play a game.