Cincinnati Bengals Part Ways with Wide Receiver Jermaine Burton
The Cincinnati Bengals have officially waived wide receiver Jermaine Burton, bringing an end to his tumultuous time with the team. Burton, a 2024 third-round pick, had been suspended by the team and did not travel with the team to Buffalo for their 39-34 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
According to Bengals coach Zac Taylor, the decision to waive Burton was made after careful consideration. “I think everybody worked really hard at it and wish him the best,” Taylor said. “Hopefully he gets a change of scenery and it can do good things for him.” This move gives both sides a fresh start in a relationship that had been marred by controversy from the beginning.
Background and Controversy
When the Bengals drafted Burton in 2024, there were concerns about his conduct. He had started his college career at Georgia before transferring to Alabama, where he was involved in an incident in 2022 in which he struck a female student who was storming the field after a victory over Tennessee. Burton later acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret, stating that it was an isolated incident and not representative of his character.
Despite these concerns, the Bengals gave Burton an opportunity to prove himself. However, he struggled to capitalize on it, missing team walkthroughs and practices, and being a healthy scratch for several games. In December 2024, he was named in a police report for two alleged domestic violence incidents, although no charges were filed.
A Second Chance
In the offseason, Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin expressed hope that Burton could turn his career around. Quarterback Joe Burrow also voiced support for Burton, saying that he had “matured” and was “in a good spot mentally and physically.” However, Burton’s issues persisted, and he continued to miss practices and games due to illness and injury.
Despite his efforts to contribute to the team, Burton’s time with the Bengals ultimately came to an end. He will finish his tenure with the team having made 14 appearances, all during his rookie year. Coach Taylor expressed his support for Burton, saying, “We made the decision we made today. I’m pulling for him to go make an opportunity for himself somewhere else.”
According to ESPN, the Bengals’ decision to waive Burton is a clean break for both parties. The team is moving forward, focusing on the rest of the season, while Burton will have the opportunity to start anew with a different team.
As reported by NFL.com, the Bengals are currently 7-5 and in second place in the AFC North. The team will face the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.
