Joe Burrow set a high bar during Bengals mandatory minicamp when he compared Cincinnati's current roster to his undefeated 2019 LSU team that won a national championship and helped launch him to the No. 1 overall pick.

For the Cleveland Browns, linebacker Emmanuel Acho was among those who challenged the comparison. Speaking on SpeakEasy alongside legend T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Acho argued that Burrow's LSU team was operating on a completely different level from the current Bengals roster.

“First, let me dismantle Joe Burrow’s statement...and Joe Burrow is incredible. The 2019 LSU roster, that wide receiving core is better than the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiving core," said Acho on June 18. "And then defensively, I think you also had Patrick Queen. I think you had K’Lavon Chaisson, I think you had a young, young, young Derrick Stingley. So that LSU squad is light years better than this Bengals squad compared to the field.”

Acho's point extended beyond the defensive side of the ball. He first focused on the defensive talent LSU had around Burrow during that historic 15-0 season.

Cincinnati's current receiving group features Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as one of the league's most productive duos.

However, Acho pointed to the sheer amount of NFL talent LSU had in 2019, including Chase, Justin Jefferson, Terrance Marshall Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Thaddeus Moss.

“So your starting skill unit was a first-round running back,” Acho said. “A Hall of Fame wide receiver, another Hall of Fame wide receiver, a Hall of Fame tight end’s son in Thaddeus Moss, and a second-round pick wide receiver as your wide receiver three."

Despite Acho's critique, Cincinnati has invested heavily in roster upgrades this offseason. They extended Orlando Brown Jr., retained Dalton Risner, and added draft picks, Connor Lew, and Jack Endries.

On the defense, they made one of the off-season's biggest moves by acquiring Dexter Lawrence II, and also added Cashius Howell and Tacario Davis through the draft.

Can Joe Burrow's Bengals Really Match His 2019 LSU Team?

Speaking after the minicamp, Joe Burrow said he welcomed the pressure that came with Cincinnati's offseason moves, including the addition of Dexter Lawrence II.

“I thrive in it. We'll find out who else does,” Burrow said on June 17. “I know that we have the kind of people that want to be in that spot. I want everybody talking about the Bengals.”

Burrow also pointed out that the current Bengals remind him of his 2019 LSU team that went undefeated and won a national championship

The Bengals have added several new pieces to the defense this offseason, which also includes Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and rookie Cashius Howell.

“You go back and watch what I've said before. 2019 season at LSU, I feel very similarly about this team,” Burrow said on June 17. “I feel like there's so much greatness that we're gonna be able to achieve this year.”

For Burrow, the focus is less about outside opinions and more about the opportunity in front of Cincinnati as the team prepares for training camp and the start of the 2026 season.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi