Bengals' Joe Burrow takes issue with prime time game in Baltimore, no international game
Festivus has come early for Joe Burrow this year.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback decided to air some of his grievances following the team's voluntary workout on Tuesday. Burrow took issue with the team's schedule, specifically with another prime time game on the road against the Baltimore Ravens and the lack of an international contest on the slate.
"Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight prime time year isn't ideal," Burrow said. "Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please."
It won't be just any prime time game for the Bengals either.
They are set to close out the Thanksgiving slate at M&T Bank Stadium, which has been a house of horrors for the last three seasons under the lights. Cincinnati is 0-3 in those contests, a skid they'll look to end this year against the back-to-back AFC North champions.
Burrow also focused on foreign soil on Tuesday, hoping he can use his passport for an NFL game he may someday play in.
"To not have a stage like that is a little disappointing," Burrow said. "I feel like I've consciously worked hard to try to grow the game internationally over the last 18 months or so. Hopefully at some point in my career we can go over there."
The Bengals last played in an international game during the 2019 season – a year before Burrow was drafted.
He may have some hope for the future, however. The NFL has been trending towards an increased international slate for years and the 2025 season offers seven of those contests – which will be the most they've played in a single season.
With continued expansion to international markets, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said at the CNBC CEO Council Summit that he hopes to get to 16 regular season games overseas within the next five years.
Conventional wisdom suggests that every team would get an international game if that came to fruition.
So, while the 28-year-old Burrow has his gripes with the schedule, at least one figures to be addressed in the future.