The Cincinnati Bengals have been struggling ever since star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for at least three months. In response, the Bengals traded with the Cleveland Browns to acquire veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The offense saw an immediate improvement upon Flacco’s arrival, but unfortunately, the defense has continued to falter.
On Sunday, Flacco threw for over 450 yards and four touchdowns, yet the defense couldn’t make the necessary stops. The Bengals ultimately lost in brutal fashion at home. Adding to the team’s woes, some defensive players appeared to be making light of the situation after the game.
Bengals reporter Mike Petraglia revealed, “The locker room is showing its cracks.” He noted that Jordan Battle, Shemar Stewart, and TJ Slaton were among those seen laughing or declining to comment by simply saying “catch you on Monday.” Kris Jenkins and Myles Murphy also declined to speak about the loss.
Fans took to social media to express their frustration with the team’s poor performance and apparent lack of seriousness on defense. One fan tweeted, “They don’t care. We don’t either. Every time they touch the field, we should boo.” Another added, “I hope Burrow asks to be traded. It’s the only way this front office wakes up. He left Ohio State, won a national championship and the Heisman. Don’t think he won’t do it again.”
Other supporters pointed to the team’s lost chemistry. “Culture. The Bengals went to the Super Bowl when the team had incredible chemistry—the magic secret sauce, the lightning in the bottle. The Bengals Front Office squandered it. We now have a caldron ready to blow. This is the result of ongoing incompetence. Unforgivable,” one fan commented.
With morale low and the defense struggling, it will be interesting to see where Cincinnati’s season goes from here.
https://thecomeback.com/nfl/bengals-players-laugh-after-embarrassing-loss.html