"Joe Cool" has something of an icy message for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals passer has made it known he feels very confident about the team's 2026 Super Bowl hopes, likening the roster to that of his 2019 LSU squad that won the national championship.
Joe Burrow's message? The 2026 Bengals better win like them, too.
"You know, I'm tired of saying 'next year, next year, next year,'" Burrow told reporters 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 everyday, and trying to make it happen."
When asked if he feels like it has to be "now or never" for the Bengals to win, Burrow left no doubt.
"That's how I'm treating it, for sure.
That's how I'm treating it," he said.
It's unclear what consequences might come should Cincinnati not capture a Lombardi Trophy, for Burrow or others. Burrow's current contract has him locked into Cincinnati through the 2029 season. He agreed to the deal in 2023.
Burrow did restructure his contract this offseason, but the only immediate effect was $10 million in cap relief for the team.
What is clear is that the Bengals have made strides to improve their roster this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They landed defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II in a trade with the New York Giants, while also adding DT Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook in free agency.
The Bengals will still need to navigate a tough AFC North, but it's a division with plenty of new faces. Bengals coach Zac Taylor is the only returning head coach of the four teams in the AFC North, as Mike McCarthy (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jesse Minter (Baltimore Ravens) and Todd Monken (Cleveland Browns) were all hired this offseason.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Burrow sends ominous message to Bengals ahead of 2026 season
