The Cincinnati Bengals took a swing last year with the 80th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, taking receiver Jermaine Burton. With a host of character concerns to his name, Burton was a risky pick, but Cincinnati bet on his talent.
Now, with just one season in the books, Bengals director of player personnel (and de facto general manager) Duke Tobin is already hinting at parting ways with the young receiver.
Cincinnati Bengals Executive Demands More From Jermaine Burton
Burton might not make it past one season with the team that drafted him. In his rookie year, he found just four catches and was a healthy scratch in the Week 18 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was recently accused of assaulting a woman he was dating on Dec. 30.
Tobin is already laying down the law. “He’s done nothing, and he’s going to have to start doing something quickly,” Tobin told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Tobin was honest about the gamble Cincinnati took. “We knew we were taking a risk,” he said. “We felt comfortable that we could help him through some of the challenges he’s had in the past and we’re going to continue to try to help him.”
“This is professional football,” Tobin continued. “You have to be accountable to your teammates, your coaches, and the team that you’re playing for, and he has to figure that out. He’s got to figure that out fast. He’s a very talented player, and we knew that there were risks in taking him.
“We knew there were rewards in taking him. We know what both of those are. We’re hoping for the rewards. We’re giving him the resources he needs to get to those rewards, but at the end of the day, you can’t want it more for somebody than they want it for themselves. And we’re hoping that Jermaine figures that out.”
Most teams would have shied away from being so blunt, but the Bengals seem to be at wit’s end, potentially foreshadowing an unceremonial release.
Michael Lombardi Weighs In on Bengals’ Biggest Receiver Decision
Elsewhere in the receiver room, bigger changes could be coming. Tee Higgins is at the center of the rumor mill, and the Bengals may be saying goodbye to a star. Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi weighed in on the conversation during “The Pat McAfee Show,” dropping a few bold statements about Higgins’ future.
“I think he’s really talented, and I think Tee can go somewhere and be a really good player,” Lombardi said.
“You put Tee Higgins on a team like the 49ers, my lord, he could end up shining,” Lombardi said, pointing out how the right system could unlock a whole new level for Higgins.
"I think Tee Higgins can be a number one and he's a dynamic player..
He's really talented and Duke Tobin isn't gonna be able to pay him what other teams are willing to pay" ~ @mlombardiuncgm #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ApSfiKfmJm
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 30, 2025
“Duke’s not going to be able to pay what other teams are going to pay because people are going to overpay for Tee Higgins,” he said. Higgins helped his unit rank seventh by PFN’s Offense+ metric in 2024.
The Bengals might have their hands tied financially as they must also extend Ja’Marr Chase. But other teams are poised to see Higgins as a prime target and could get into a bidding war that only hurts Cincinnati. In a passing league with many teams hoping to elevate their developing quarterbacks, Higgins’ market is expected to be robust — if the Bengals let him out of the building.