NFL quarterback Joe Burrow sees similarities between the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals and his 2020 NCAA national champion LSU Tigers as the AFC North team searches for its first playoff berth since 2022
23:14 ET, 19 Jun 2026Updated 23:15 ET, 19 Jun 2026
Joe Burrow reacts to a question from the media
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Joe Burrow sees similarities in his 2020 LSU Tigers team and the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals (Image: WCPO)
Joe Burrow knows exactly what it takes to command a high-powered offense to championship aspirations and he also remembers the signs of greatness that a team shows before they win any trophies.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback felt the intangible vibes at LSU in 2020 before their historic title season, and now Burrow thinks he’s sensing something similar as the 2026 NFL season approaches.
He surprised NFL fans by comparing the current Bengals roster to his old LSU national championship team. Burrow's Tigers went 15-0 under head coach Ed Orgeron and won the College Football Playoffs National Championship after dominating a Trevor Lawrence-led Clemson 42-25.
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Burrow said the mood around Cincinnati this offseason reminds him of the confidence he felt before his historic LSU run. "You go back and watch what I said before the 2019 season at LSU," Burrow said.
"I feel very similarly about this team. I'm so excited to get started and get moving. I wish we had ramped this right into training camp so we can continue to improve," he said during camp.
"I feel like there's so much greatness we'll be able to achieve this year that I'm just excited to get going." The Bengals ended the 2025 season with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs. Burrow only played eight games last season because of a turf toe injury.
Joe Burrow makes a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars
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Joe Burrow feels similar vibes between his LSU team and this year's Bengals
He still completed 173 of 259 passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions to end the season with a 100.7 passer rating. A key factor in the restored optimism is likely Burrow's improved health.
The Bengals QB has taken part in all offseason activities and recently said he feels healthier than he has in years. Sportsbooks and analysts expect the Bengals to reach the playoffs with a win total set at 9.5 games.
Cincinnati enters 2026 with a stronger defense after adding Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen, and Boye Mafe, and keeping head coach Zac Taylor and coordinators.
Joe Burrow holds up the College Football Playoff National Championship
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Burrow won the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020
The Bengals will only play three regular-season games against teams with winning records in 2025, including the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Lawrence's Jacksonville Jaguars, all before the team's Week 6 BYE.
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Burrow talked about how much greatness the Tigers could achieve before they even played a game during their title run. The team had 14 NFL players taken in the 2020 Draft including Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and others.
He went on to become the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, led the league in passing yards and touchdowns in 2024, and has earned three Pro Bowl appearances.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills fans are already roasting their own new $2.1 billion stadium before suiting up for a game.