Joe Burrow has a strong message on his expectations for the Bengals

Joe Burrow did not pull a single punch on New Year's Eve when discussing what he believes needs to happen to correct the Cincinnati Bengals' struggles.

The Bengals enter Week 18 well out of playoff contention, and their best possible outcome for the season is a 7-10 finish if they complete a season sweep of the Cleveland Browns this weekend. It will mark the third consecutive season the Bengals have missed the playoffs after making back-to-back playoff appearances in 2021-2022, including a run to Super Bowl LVI, which they lost 23-20 to the Rams. This season also marks the first losing season since 2020 for the Bengals.

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Facing such significant struggles as a franchise after so recently finding the recipe for success is tough, especially for players who have been through the ups and downs of that journey, none more prominent than Burrow. On Wednesday, when speaking with the press, Burrow shared his blunt thoughts on the state of the franchise as this season slides to a disappointing end.

"We don't want to be in the spot we are in now, so something's got to change," Burrow said. "Whether it's players we have continuing to improve and get better and play championship-caliber football or bringing in guys that will or whatever it may be. Obviously, something has to [change]."

It's not the first time recently that Burrow has made his feelings on his franchise's struggles known, as he said two weeks ago on December 17 that what the team has been doing in recent seasons "hasn't worked" and that the Bengals needed to "think outside the box and get creative" moving forward.

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Burrow has played in just seven games this season for the Bengals, sidelined for over two months from September to November after suffering an injury in Week 2. The Bengals are 5-2 with him starting this season and 1-8 without him, and he has thrown for 1,573 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Rumors about his satisfaction in Cincinnati and whether a trade could be in the works this offseason have recently surfaced, underscoring that while he may be committed to the Bengals now, he wants to see significant change.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Joe Burrow has a strong message on his expectations for the Bengals