Most NFL teams seem to dread the travel and disruption of playing overseas. Count Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as one of the few who wants to play in those games, one of two big gripes he expressed this week toward NFL schedule-makers.
Just 13 teams will play in international games this season, with the Minnesota Vikings staying in the United Kingdom for Weeks 4 and 5. Burrow’s Bengals are not one of those teams, and never have been. Burrow has not played in any of the league’s international ventures his entire pro career.
Speaking to reporters at minicamp this week, Burrow expressed his desire to help grow football overseas. While he was at it, he also threw a jab at the league for scheduling Cincinnati in primetime at Baltimore for the fourth straight season.
“Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight primetime wasn’t ideal. Maybe make one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please,” Burrow said. “Maybe an international game next year, too.”
Burrow added that he participated in Netflix’s Quarterback this year partially in an effort to grow his brand and the NFL’s worldwide, and wishes he could do so on the gridiron.
“To not have a stage like that is a little disappointing,” Burrow said. “I feel like I’ve consciously worked hard to try to grow the game internationally over the last 18 months or so, so hopefully at some point in my career we can go over there.”
The Bengals will travel to Baltimore for a Thanksgiving nightcap in a game, like many in the back-half of the schedule, that will have major AFC North implications.
Last season, the Bengals played three times on Monday Night Football, twice on Sunday Night Football and once on Thursday Night Football. Just one of those primetime games was at home. Cincinnati lost the game in Baltimore on TNF by a single point.
Clearly, Burrow understands that he is not the quarterback of a marquee franchise. Despite leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2022, he has been dealt seasons of injury and defensive ineptitude that have kept his team from national relevance.
That hasn’t stopped him from trying. Beyond the Netflix show, Burrow traveled to France and other countries last summer for a promotional trip.
Now, he is sending a message to the NFL to reward him for his success on the field and efforts off of it.
