Joe Burrow says 'fun' comments weren't aimed at Bengals - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow clarified his position on where things stand in his career following Sunday's 24-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

In the days leading up to the game, Burrow said that if he wants to keep playing, he wants to have fun doing it. That sparked considerable speculation about his status with the Bengals, the team that drafted him first overall in 2020.

Burrow firmly squashed that notion.

«My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati,» Burrow said after the game. «My comments had everything to do with me and my mindset and football.»

After the loss that sealed Cincinnati's third straight year without a playoff berth, Burrow was as critical of himself as he ever has been following a game, even those with worse statistical lines. He was 25-of-39 passing for 225 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown in the second half.

One week ago, Burrow thought he played «pretty close to perfect» in a defeat against the Buffalo Bills. That was not the case Sunday against the Ravens.

«I think this is one of the worst games that I've played,» Burrow said. «I'm honest with myself and my play, and I hold myself to high standard, and today didn't come close.»

From the outset, the frigid day in Cincinnati did not shape up to be a pleasant one.

Burrow and the Bengals' offense started the game with an 11-play drive that put them on the verge of the red zone. However, Baltimore was able to get a pass rusher free through the line of scrimmage virtually untouched. Burrow scrambled, ran backward and took a 15-yard sack that knocked the Bengals out of field goal range.

That was the closest Cincinnati got to scoring while the game's outcome was still in