In the opinion of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, this is the best roster he has ever been a part of. But an NFL analyst believes it will take more than just that for the Bengals to reach the Super Bowl.

"There is just one thing standing between Cincinnati and a Super Bowl return, and it is the one thing no offseason move can address. Burrow has to stay healthy," NFL analyst Joey Linn of Rountable wrote two days ago.

Joe Burrow has missed seven or more games in two out of the last three seasons.

As a rookie, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee, keeping him out after Week 11 that year. In 2023, a torn wrist ligament ended his season prematurely.

Last season saw a grave turf toe injury he suffered in a Week 2 win, keeping him out for nine games. The Bengals had a 1-8 record last season in the nine games Joe Burrow wasn't on the field.

Cincinnati reached the Super Bowl once (2021 season) in the three seasons Burrow was fit for the whole season.

Joe Burrow's most recent full season saw the Bengals finish with a 9-8 record in the regular season. Not quite enough for playing the postseason. But it showed the league what a fully fit Joe Burrow is capable of.

In the 2024 season, he led the league in passes completed (460), passing yardage (4,918 yards), and passing touchdowns (43).

"The first test comes soon, with training camp opening on Wednesday, July 29, and the season starting at home against Tampa Bay on Sunday, Sept. 13," Analyst Joey Linn of the Rountable concluded.

The front office put their best foot forward this offseason so that the Bengals' three-year playoff drought doesn't continue in 2026. But why is it still not enough to push for a Super Bowl run?

A deeper look at Bengals defensive overhaul: Safety acquisition labelled "overpaid" by an analyst

The 2025 season saw the Bengals ranked 30th in the league for points allowed per game (28.9 points). So, the defensive roster saw an overhaul in personnel in the offseason. One major outgoing player was edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.

But that led to DT Dexter Lawrence II joining in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Other big arrivals saw the likes of free agents edge rusher Boye Mafe, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and safety Bryan Cook.

However, Cook recently featured on NFL Analyst Moe Moton's "NFL's most overpaid player per position list."

"The Cincinnati Bengals signed Cook to a three-year, $40.3 million deal," Moton wrote for Bleacher Report. "They snagged one of the premier free agents on the market at a questionable cost when you dig into the numbers."

He argued that Cook commanding the 5th highest cap hit among NFL safeties in 2026 is highly questionable. Especially considering he recorded only three interceptions and 15 pass breakups in 62 career appearances, alongside allowing an opposing passer rating over 128.5 in three of his four pro seasons.

Joe Burrow voiced his belief that the Bengals can win the Super Bowl earlier in the offseason, as per his interview on May 20.

However, as Linn pointed out, Joe Burrow staying fit throughout the season, irrespective of the defensive overhauls, is a must.

Do you think Burrow's words will come true? Let us know in the comments section.

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Written by

Nisarga Aseem Barkule

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore