Burrow likens Bengals to 2019 LSU, touts championship hopes

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow declared on Wednesday that the current team reminds him of his undefeated, national championship-winning LSU squad from 2019, setting a tone of sky-high expectations as the franchise concludes its offseason program. Speaking at a mandatory minicamp press conference, Burrow embraced the mounting pressure for the 2026 season, which follows three consecutive years without a playoff appearance.

"I want everybody talking about the Bengals," Burrow told reporters. "You go back and watch what I said before the 2019 season at LSU, I feel very similarly about this team. I'm so excited to get started."

The Bengals are coming off a 6-11 season in which Burrow was limited to just eight games due to a Grade 3 turf toe injury. The team has since undertaken an aggressive defensive rebuild in free agency, adding veteran leaders like defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, safety Bryan Cook, and edge rusher Boye Mafe. Burrow stated these additions give the Bengals "everything we need to contend."

Offensively, all 11 starters from last season return, a fact Burrow cited as a major strength. He described this as the deepest and...