Zac Taylor Assessing if Jermaine Burton is "Doing Things the Right Way"
- barmogan
- Jan 11
- 5 min read
CINCINNATI — Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is assessing whether wide receiver Jermain Burton is “doing things the right way." Despite Burton’s recent assault charge, his eviction from his apartment, the allegations of domestic abuse, his potential gambling addiction, and a notable unexcused, no-contact absence from a crucial walkthrough prior to a key game against the Raiders, Taylor insists that the evaluation process is ongoing.
“Look, it's important to make sure every player aligns with our values and does things the right way, on and off the field,” Taylor said, sounding a bit like a man who’s had to repeat the same line to a thousand reporters. “Jermaine’s in the process. And it’s not about just the charges, or the things that have happened in the past, it’s about whether he can truly commit to doing things the right way going forward. That’s what we’re assessing.”
Yes, it’s true that Burton was recently alleged to have assaulted a woman. It’s also true that he didn’t show up for a walkthrough and was spotted gambling on a slot machine, resulting in his absence from what could’ve been a breakout game against the Raiders, and yes, it’s absolutely true that he was evicted from his apartment, which some might argue is not “doing things the right way.” But Taylor is resolute.
“Those things… those are just setbacks. But they don’t define the full picture of whether someone can do things the right way,” Taylor continued, looking somewhat contemplative. “There’s a bigger picture here, and we need to give Jermaine the time to prove that he can commit to doing things the right way. We’re looking for sustained effort. That’s what we need.”
The Walkthrough Fiasco: "Just a Misstep" or Not Doing Things the Right Way?
One of the most glaring examples of Burton’s lack of commitment to doing things the right way came earlier this season, when he failed to show up, or even notify the team of his impending absence, for a critical walkthrough before the Bengals’ game against the Raiders. As a result, Burton lost out on an opportunity to be heavily featured in the game plan, despite his demonstrated flashes of tracking Joe Burrow deep balls like they're Amazon packages.
For most, this would be a glaring red flag. But for Taylor, it’s merely part of the ongoing “evaluation.”
"I wouldn’t say it’s a lack of commitment,” Taylor explained, almost as if he genuinely believed that missing a walkthrough was just part of the journey toward “doing things the right way.” “Sometimes things happen, and we’re just seeing if he can learn from it. It’s not ideal, of course, but we’re focused on his growth. We’re still looking for signs that he can align himself with the team’s values. He’s got to prove that he can be consistent. That’s what it’s about.”
When asked if missing a walkthrough and, by extension, failing to seize an opportunity to contribute to a critical game might be considered not doing things the right way, Taylor paused, clearly wrestling with his words.
“Look, we know it was a misstep,” he said, choosing his phrasing carefully. “But we have to evaluate whether that misstep is a sign of not doing things the right way, or if it was just a one-time issue. At this point, it’s all part of the process.”
Still, There’s Potential… Right?
Despite the numerous setbacks — including the domestic abuse reports, his failure to show up for team activities, and his general inability to keep things together — Taylor remains cautiously optimistic that Burton might one day show he can do things the right way. After all, if he didn’t think there was potential, why bother continuing to evaluate him?
“It’s not about writing someone off just because they’ve faced some challenges,” Taylor continued. “Every player has a different path. We’re looking at the big picture. Can he show consistency? Can he bounce back and demonstrate that he’s committed to doing things the right way? That’s what we’re watching.”
At this point, it’s unclear how much more patience Taylor is willing to give Burton before reaching a definitive conclusion, but for now, the head coach remains insistent that the evaluation process is still ongoing. And despite Burton’s less-than-ideal actions off the field, Taylor sees something worth salvaging.
“You’ve got to look at the full body of work, not just a few mistakes,” Taylor explained. “Jermaine’s got a lot of talent, and we’re hoping he can make the necessary changes to be someone who can contribute by doing things the right way.”
The Process: Always in Motion, Never Finished
When asked directly if Burton’s history of missteps — both legal and personal — might indicate a larger issue with doing things the right way, Taylor was characteristically vague. “It’s part of the evaluation,” he said. “It’s not about how fast someone turns things around. It’s about whether they can stay committed to doing things the right way over time. We just need more time to assess that.”
It’s worth noting that Burton isn't the first drafted offensive player for the Bengals who is has been tough to assess if doing things the right way. Drafted offensive lineman Jackson Carman, for instance, was ultimately released after years of “evaluation," of whether he was doing things the right way. Eventually, Carmen was finally determined not to be doing things the right way.
So, is Burton’s current trajectory an unfortunate series of missteps, or is he genuinely on the path to doing things the right way? As Taylor would say, it’s all part of the process.
A Long Road Ahead
As the offseason progresses, it seems increasingly clear that the Bengals’ evaluation of Burton will continue for some time — whether he’s making the right decisions off the field or not. Whether the team can afford to keep evaluating him while he makes mistakes remains to be seen. But Taylor’s commitment to giving Burton “time to prove himself” is unwavering.
“Some players need more time,” Taylor said, smiling as if he believed it was self-evident. “We just need to see if Jermaine can truly commit to doing things the right way. It’s not a simple answer, but that’s what we’re still trying to figure out.”
In the meantime, the Bengals will continue to monitor Burton’s every move, keeping a close eye on whether or not he’ll ever fully align with their definition of “doing things the right way.” And while they wait for that answer, Burton may be left wondering if he’ll ever be allowed to actually do things the right way — or if the process will continue indefinitely.
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