The Cincinnati Bengals selected wideout Jermaine Burton in the third round last offseason to hopefully add a little depth behind Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase.
But the former Crimson Tide receiver's rookie season was anything but productive.
Burton posted just four catches on 14 targets for 107 yards and no touchdowns. Disappointing numbers for a third-round pick for sure.
His lackluster season ended early after the team benched him for the final game of the year. He wasn't even invited on the plane to Pittsburgh.
Burton says that benching woke him up.
“Nobody should be happy with it,” Burton said. “I was very disappointed, but it’s something that I moved on from, and grew from, and can’t wait, looking forward, really looking forward to this year.”
Burton had an opportunity to think about that benching for the entire offseason thus far, and is ready to be better.
“Sleepless nights, honestly, just sitting there thinking,” Burton said. “I could sit there and just think about football all night. And it’s just something that I love, and something that I really enjoy doing. So I want to do the best that I can to be the better player I can be. I really wish I was there, but like I said, the situation I moved on from and I really can’t wait for this year.”
Now, the 23-year-old is ready to improve and help his team win.
“I’m just trying my best to be the best player I can be, just coming up with better habits, better routines, and just trying to stay consistent,” Burton said. “I learned a lot of things last year, but you really got to be a professional in this league.”