The Cincinnati Bengals are justifiably not satisfied with their 9-8 record and absence from playoff contention last year. ... as it was all very much an "almost'' sort of experience.
They put up big numbers. They represented a major threat. They made a lot of loud noises.
But nothing when it comes to what counts.
But now?
Star quarterback Joe Burrow - who had a career-best season statistically - is issuing a double-barreled warning to the NFL.
"There's room to improve in every area," Burrow said of his own work. "Movement, accuracy, spin rate, bigger, faster, stronger – all of those good things."
A bigger, better Joe? Yes, that's a warning shot.
And more? Is that realistic?
After all, in 2024, Burrow led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) on a wildly efficient 70 percent completion ... and he played with pocket-presence guts that earned the praise of old-school QBs like Troy Aikman, who on ESPN's "Monday Night Football'' frequently cited Burrow as his "favorite'' active passer.
So ... yes, Cincinnati went on a five-game win streak to close out the season, but still barely finished above .500 and ended up missing the playoffs.
Burrow is now 28 years old and is entering sixth season in the league. He's been to a Super Bowl but there is still has a lot to prove in a rugged AFC North in which the Baltimore Ravens are the favorites and the Pittsburgh Steelers are viewed as contenders.
So, another warning?
A recent Burrow Instagram post insists that the breakthrough will be "coming soon.''
Yes. Another warning.