Joe Burrow Explains His Return Mindset Despite Bengals’ Fading Playoff Dreams

Posted November 26, 2025

As the Cincinnati Bengals prepare for a high-stakes Thanksgiving night showdown against their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, all eyes are on one man: Joe Burrow. The franchise quarterback, who has been sidelined since Week 2 due to a toe injury that required surgery, is officially on track to return to the lineup. On paper, it might seem like too little too late for the 3-8 Bengals, a team whose playoff hopes have nearly evaporated. But Burrow’s mindset paints a very different picture—one rooted in competitiveness, pride, and a refusal to sit quietly on the sideline while his teammates battle on without him.

“I’m not living scared.” — Burrow shuts down the idea of sitting out

For weeks, analysts and even fans have debated whether the Bengals should shut Burrow down for the rest of the season. With a losing record, a weakened offensive line, and slim playoff odds, the argument makes sense to some. But not to Joe Burrow.

“I’m not ever going to go to somebody and say, ‘Yeah, I’m healthy, but I don’t think I should go out there and play,’” Burrow said Tuesday, via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I’m not going to live my life and play this game scared of something happening.”

These words embody the same fire that has defined Burrow since his LSU days—fearless, driven, competitive to a fault. And make no mistake, Burrow is healthy enough to compete. He logged his first full practice last week since the surgery, even though Cincinnati ultimately chose not to activate him for their Week 12 matchup against the New England Patriots—a game the Bengals narrowly lost 26-20.

Many took that loss as the unofficial death knell of Cincinnati’s playoff dreams, but Burrow refuses to accept that narrative. He isn’t returning because the odds are good. He’s returning because he believes in respecting the game, respecting the rivalry, and respecting his own identity as a competitor.

Why Burrow still wants one (or two) shots at the Baltimore Ravens

Despite both the Bengals and the Cleveland Browns entering Thanksgiving at 3-8, the AFC North remains one of the most heated divisions in football. Baltimore and Pittsburgh sit tied atop the standings at 6-5, which means every divisional matchup is loaded with extra weight—even for a struggling Bengals team.

The Bengals will face the Ravens twice over the next four weeks, starting on Thanksgiving night. And for Burrow, that’s all the motivation he needs.

“When you play people twice a year, you get tired of them,” Burrow said with a smirk. “You don’t like them. It’s a division rivalry. You got respect for them, but it’s intense out there.”

There’s no sugarcoating the bitterness between these teams. The Ravens’ defense has long been known for its physicality, and Burrow has had memorable battles against Baltimore since entering the league. Even if Cincinnati’s playoff chances are sitting at a measly 1.2%, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Burrow still sees value in stepping on the field and reminding the Ravens—on national television—that beating Cincinnati will never come easy.

If the Bengals can manage to spoil Baltimore’s holiday weekend, it may not save their season, but it could shift momentum, morale, and the tone of the remainder of the year. And it could send a message that Cincinnati’s culture is not one of surrender.

What Burrow’s return means for the Bengals and the AFC North

While Burrow’s competitive nature is admirable, the Bengals face harsh realities. Their offensive line has struggled without him. Their defense has flashed but lacks consistency. And while the team did manage to split their season series with the Steelers and defeat the Browns back in Week 1, inconsistency has plagued them all year.

Even so, Burrow’s imminent return has energized the locker room. Players have spoken about how his presence alone elevates their confidence, their preparation, and their belief that they still have something meaningful to play for.

Whether this emotional lift will translate to on-field success against Baltimore remains to be seen. On Wednesday morning, ESPN BET listed the Bengals as seven-point underdogs—a sizable margin that reflects both Cincinnati’s struggles and Baltimore’s standing as a divisional powerhouse.

Will Burrow continue playing if the Bengals lose?

That is the million-dollar question.

If the Bengals fall to 3-9 after Thursday’s game, their playoff hopes would drop from improbable to virtually impossible. That raises legitimate concerns about whether Burrow—or the Bengals front office—will want him risking further injury in what could become meaningless games from a postseason perspective.

Head coach Zac Taylor has remained vague, choosing not to speculate publicly beyond Week 13. Burrow, meanwhile, has only doubled down on his competitive stance. If he’s healthy, he intends to play. Period.

But the Bengals may have to intervene if the season spirals further.

A quarterback’s pride vs. a franchise’s future

The tension between Burrow’s mindset and the Bengals’ long-term interests is palpable.

On one hand, you have a superstar quarterback whose leadership is rooted in effort, toughness, and showing up for his team. On the other, you have a franchise that has invested hundreds of millions in his future—and is painfully aware of how quickly fortunes can change with a single injury.

What’s clear is this: Thanksgiving night won’t just be another divisional game. It will be a statement.

A statement about rivalry.

A statement about pride.

A statement about who Joe Burrow is—even when the odds don’t matter and the season feels lost.

Whether that statement ignites a miracle run or marks the final stand of the Bengals’ 2025 campaign remains to be seen.