Joe Burrow spent more time on his back than a UFC fighter in 2024… (Don’t get all riled up, it’s an exaggeration but a fair one!). I mean, the defenses got the better of the Bengals’ O-line and sacked JB for a total of 48 times. That’s not just a bad stat—it’s a flashing neon sign that Cincy had a major problem up front.

And if you thought things were better overall, think again. They ranked 24th in sacks allowed, 25th in points given up per game, and their run defense? Let’s just say it was as leaky as a roof in a thunderstorm.

So, how do the Bengals fix this? Well, step one: they signed veteran guard Lucas Patrick to a one-year deal. It might get you to scratch your head more than make you say, “WOW!” But at this point, any help for Burrow’s offensive line is like throwing a life vest to a sinking ship.

Patrick is a nine-year veteran and started 64 games across stints with the Packers, Bears, and Saints. He’s experienced. Tough. Gritty. That’s the bar nowadays to sign you up to make sure the depth chart stays strong.

For Burrow, at least, injuries to the O-line wouldn’t be his concern anymore because he knows there’s a seasoned campaigner who might take the reins if needed when he’s still running for his life. And let’s not forget—this is the same Joe who tore his ACL in 2020 and missed the second half of 2023 with a wrist injury.

At some point, you have to stop putting your franchise QB behind a patchwork O-line and actually build a fortress.

Lucas Patrick is a start, but is he the solution? That’s TBD. If the Bengals really want to keep Burrow upright and healthy for a full season, this can’t be their only move. Free agency, the draft—whatever it takes, fix the damn line. Because if they don’t, Burrow’s career could end up looking a lot more like Andrew Luck (no disrespect) than the MVP-caliber star he’s meant to be.

And undoubtedly the Bengals need to sort out another key player before it’s too late.

Joe Burrow cannot win it all

Joe Burrow can do a lot of things. He can dissect defenses, make impossible throws look routine, and carry a franchise on his back. But what he can’t do? Sign contracts. And right now, the Bengals are making his job even harder. While Burrow pushed to secure deals for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, he was also fighting for Trey Hendrickson. But Cincinnati? They did not reciprocate with the same intensity of attention and interest.

Burrow, ever the optimist, said in February, “Yeah, we can make it happen. We can make it happen.” But the problem is, the Bengals aren’t making it happen. Talks with Hendrickson have been quiet despite clear interest from other teams. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler even said that the situation has reached its “stagnation point.”

But this isn’t about whether Hendrickson deserves a payday. He was an All-Pro last season, led the league in sacks, and has racked up 57 sacks since joining Cincy in 2021. Yet, here he is, sitting on an expiring deal while the Bengals hesitate. The edge-rusher market has exploded past $35 million per year, and Hendrickson’s $21 million annual salary suddenly looks like a bargain.

Cincinnati knows this. That’s why they let him seek a trade, though they reportedly want a first-round pick in return—while simultaneously acting like they don’t actually want to move him. Make it make sense.

Is Hendrickson holding out for a full season? That feels unlikely. But so did Haason Reddick missing seven games in 2024 before the Jets finally caved. If the Bengals think they can escape underpaying a guy who just dragged their defense to relevance, they might be in for a rude awakening. This team finished 25th in points allowed last season. Without Hendrickson? That number could get even uglier.

Cincinnati has already secured its offensive stars. Now, they need to fix the other side of the ball. Burrow might be able to win shootouts, but he can’t win a Super Bowl if his defense is a turnstile. The 2024 season was the perfect reflection of that.