Jermaine Burton’s time in Cincinnati is over. I confirmed Sunday that the Bengals suspended the second-year wide receiver without pay, then on Monday they waived him. The split ends a rocky 18 months for a talented but troubled draft pick, and it sends a sharp message about standards in that locker room.
The News, Fast and Clear
The Bengals suspended Burton without pay on December 7, 2025. He did not travel and missed the Week 14 game against the Bills. The club did not provide a public reason. The suspension cost him an estimated game check of 59,320.88 dollars.
One day later, on December 8, the Bengals placed Burton on waivers. That move effectively ends his run in Cincinnati. He did not play a snap this season.
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Burton was suspended without pay on December 7. He was waived on December 8. He did not play in 2025.
How It Unraveled
This exit has been building. Burton was a third round pick in 2024. The Bengals drafted him for speed and edge, hoping he would grow next to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The on-field return never came. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games with four catches for 107 yards. He entered 2025 buried on the depth chart, then stayed there.
The off-field strain only grew. Late in 2024, a police report alleged he assaulted a 19-year-old woman. No charges were filed. He was benched for missing a team walkthrough, then did not travel for the Week 18 finale, which was a coach’s decision. Public records also show at least two evictions tied to his housing in Cincinnati.
Inside the building, the Bengals tried to let the talent win out. Football people believed in his burst, his ability to separate, and his vertical threat. But patience in the NFL is not endless. In the end, the combination of inactivity and repeated concerns closed the door.
Football Fit, Player Development, and the Bengals’ Call
This is as much about development as discipline. Cincinnati asks its receivers to master spacing, hot reads, and high-effort snaps on run plays. The standard is set by Chase and Higgins, who block, finish routes, and handle pressure. If a young receiver cannot earn trust in meetings and on special teams, he does not dress. If he does not dress, he does not develop.
Burton’s skill set has value. He can stack corners and win over the top. He can stress safeties. But production starts with availability and alignment. He struggled to lock down a role on teams or in sub packages. When that happens, the margin for off-field mistakes becomes very thin.
For the Bengals, this is a clean break and a sober review. Roster spots in December go to players who help today. It also forces a look at their scouting filters. They bet on upside. They now pay a cost in a lost pick and lost time.
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High-upside prospects need clear support, tight accountability, and early roles. Without those, talent rarely reaches Sundays.
What It Means Right Now
For Cincinnati, the room resets around Chase, Higgins, and role players who stick to the plan. It removes a weekly question mark and quiets a lingering issue as the stretch run begins. It also nudges the front office toward proven depth this offseason, not just traits.
For Burton, this is a hard pivot. He will hit waivers and hope for a fresh start. Another team could take a low-risk shot, but only if he shows a firm plan, day-to-day discipline, and special teams value. That is the path back into a huddle.
A quick timeline
- Late 2024, police report alleges assault, no charges filed.
- Week 18 of 2024, did not travel, coach’s decision.
- Early 2025, internal belief in his talent remained.
- 2025 season, no game action.
- December 7, 2025, suspended without pay, missed Bills game.
- December 8, 2025, waived by Bengals.
Lessons Across the League
This is a clear case study for every personnel department. Traits are tempting. But the real question is fit, daily habits, and support. Can the player help on teams while the route tree grows. Can he meet the weight of a pro routine. And does the club have the structure to keep him on track. When those answers wobble, tough calls arrive quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did the Bengals suspend Jermaine Burton without pay?
A: The team did not provide a public reason. The action was not injury related.
Q: How much money did he lose from the suspension?
A: He forfeited an estimated 59,320.88 dollars from the missed Week 14 game.
Q: Did Burton play this season?
A: No. He did not appear in any games in 2025.
Q: What were his rookie year stats?
A: In 2024, he played 14 games and had four catches for 107 yards.
Q: What happens next for Burton?
A: He is on waivers. If unclaimed, he becomes a free agent and can sign elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
The Bengals drafted Jermaine Burton for speed, edge, and big-play potential. Instead, they got a year of flashes, a year of silence, and a final weekend of decisive moves. Cincinnati chose clarity and culture. Burton must now choose a reset, and a different daily standard, if he wants another shot on Sundays.
