Like the rest of the football world, Cincinnati Bengals fans were shocked when Jermaine Burton failed to warm up for the team’s Week 9 matchup vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. As a result, fans expected that the rookie wide receiver would sit out the game.
Their fears turned out to be true, with Burton declared inactive soon thereafter. Cincy fans are now demanding accountability from head coach Zac Taylor and the front office.
Bengals Fans Up in Arms as Jermaine Burton Misses Week 9 vs. Raiders
Before the game even started, an ESPN reporter took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight that after missing the walkthroughs on Saturday and Sunday, Burton isn’t warming up.
“Things must have soured on Bengals WR Jermaine Burton over the weekend. He is not warming up ahead of today’s game against the Raiders. Will likely be a healthy scratch,” Ben Baby tweeted.
Things must have soured on Bengals WR Jermaine Burton over the weekend. He is not warming up ahead of today’s game against the Raiders. Will likely be a healthy scratch.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) November 3, 2024
Fans did not take kindly to the Bengals’ approach of benching Burton.
“Fire Taylor. Fire Duke. Sell the team, this is absolutely ridiculous,” one fan tweeted.
Fire Taylor. Fire Duke. Sell the team, this is absolutely ridiculous.
— chach™️ (@colin_i__am) November 3, 2024
“That’s crap he is our best chance to win… that catch last week was clutch.. this is on Taylor if we don’t win,” one fan replied.
“You’ve got to be sh***ing me. Zac’s gotta go,” another fan added.
“Not a serious organization,” another fan responded.
Not a serious organization
— Tate Wendel (@TateWendel) November 3, 2024
“Zac Taylor has to get his head out of his own a**,” someone tweeted.
“Get the Brown Family and Duke Tobin out of Football,” another fan added.
Get the Brown Family and Duke Tobin out of Football. https://t.co/i12bnGH9pJ
— Cameron Sample (@CamSample3954) November 3, 2024
What Did Burton Say About Bengals Coaching Strategy?
Burton was a third-round pick of the Bengals in the 2024 NFL Draft. While he has played seven games, the 2021 college football national champion hasn’t started any.
In those seven games, Burton has received the ball only twice for 88 yards. Earlier this week, he called out the lack of game time he had been receiving.
“I can’t put myself in the game,” he said. “Personally, I feel like I could have been (making) plays.”
The Bengals are 3-5 this season, and many expected that the rookie out of Alabama would be given chances. Instead, Burton has now been placed on the inactive list.