ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck slams Bengals' organization, Joe Burrow's health

TL;DR

Tim Hasselbeck criticized the Cincinnati Bengals for underachieving during Joe Burrow's injury-plagued career, highlighting his limited availability and the team's failure to capitalize on his talent.

Key points

Tim Hasselbeck criticized the Bengals organization.
Joe Burrow has started a full season only three times in six years.
The Bengals have achieved double-digit wins only twice during Burrow's career.

Mentioned in this story

Cincinnati BengalsTim HasselbeckJoe BurrowMatthew StaffordShedeur SandersAndy DaltonDon HasselbeckDetroit

ESPN NFL analyst Tim Hasselbeck acknowledged that the Cincinnati Bengals have made defensive improvements during the offseason, but blasted the team for underachieving during quarterback Joe Burrow's injury-plagued career.

"The concern I have just organizationally and Joe Burrow healthwise," Hasselbeck said. "He's been in the league six years. He's started the entire season just three times in six years. … And in that stretch, they've only had double-digit wins twice. It's just not been a good organization. And a lot of it has been because the quarterback can't stay healthy.

"It feels like Matthew Stafford early on in Detroit," Hasselbeck continued. "While there's talent on the team, and you think, 'Wow, this team could be really good.' … This quarterback is definitely Super Bowl-caliber quarterback. They just organizationally can't get it done, can't be competitive with the elite organizations in the league. That's just what it's starting to feel like to me with Burrow's era in Cincinnati."

In 2025, Hasselbeck said Shedeur Sanders' NFL quarterback comp was former Bengals QB Andy Dalton.

Hasselbeck's father, Don, was a Cincinnati native who starred in football and basketball at La Salle High School before playing tight end for nine NFL seasons.

Head coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals are scheduled to face the Falcons in Spain in November.

Q&A

What did Tim Hasselbeck say about Joe Burrow's health?

Tim Hasselbeck expressed concern over Joe Burrow's health, noting he has only started a full season three times in six years.

How has the Bengals organization performed during Joe Burrow's career?

Hasselbeck criticized the Bengals for underachieving, stating they have only achieved double-digit wins twice during Burrow's tenure.

What comparison did Hasselbeck make regarding Joe Burrow's situation?

Hasselbeck compared Burrow's situation to that of Matthew Stafford early in his career with the Detroit Lions, suggesting both faced organizational challenges despite their talent.