Cincinnati Bengals franchise quarterback Joe Burrow has been patient through adversity the last few years, but it's time for the team to improve. It hasn't made the playoffs since 2022, largely because its defense has been below average since then.

Burrow is influencing how Cincinnati's front office operates, per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.

“He’s changed the way they’ve made decisions around here in recent years," he reported on "The Growler" podcast. "And his lack of happiness, whether he says it’s cause he had a bad day at a press conference or not, has major influence inside of the building. He called this free agency ‘paramount.’ … He’s certainly done more than just lay the groundwork on, ‘If I’m not happy here, I don’t plan on staying here.’”

“He just wants a good defense," he continued. "He doesn’t care. He doesn’t want to feel like he has to be perfect and score 42 or more every single week…I think he’s in a good enough place. He just wants to win.”

Burrow publicly expressed displeasure this past season with Cincinnati's constant losing and his litany of injuries. The 29-year-old has had two injury-shortened campaigns in the past three years and three since getting drafted in 2020. Combine that with the team's playoff drought, and it's no wonder why he's been upset.

Burrow has a right to feel that way, as he pulls his weight whenever he's healthy. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder tossed 17 touchdowns against just five picks over eight games in 2025, and he led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns in 2024. He's also completed at least 65 percent of his passes each season and has logged at least 4,400 passing yards in each of his three fully healthy campaigns.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati finished 30th in scoring defense this past season, tied for 25th in 2024, and 20th in 2023. The team was above-average in that category in 2021 and 2022, when it made the Super Bowl and AFC Championship, respectively.

Burrow is signed through 2029, but he could request a trade if the Bengals don't fix the defense. The former LSU Tiger can't keep wasting his prime years on a team that can't support him on the other side of the ball. 

A franchise quarterback in his prime is the most valuable asset an NFL team can have, so Cincinnati must try its best to appease Burrow. Utilizing free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft to rebuild the defense on all three levels this offseason would be a good start.

If the Bengals field at least a league-average defense in 2026, Burrow and star receiver Ja'Marr Chase will give them a chance to reach the mountaintop as long as they stay healthy.