The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to bounce back from last season's disappointing 6-11 record, which included quarterback Joe Burrow being sidelined with a toe injury for multiple games.

Burrow returned late last season, but it wasn't enough to salvage what they'd already lost, and Cincinnati watched other AFC teams compete in the NFL Playoffs. That included the New England Patriots, who reached the Super Bowl and fell to the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks.

During a media session amid Bengals practice, Burrow was asked why he was comfortable talking about chasing the championship in June, July and August. The star QB responded that it was all about intentions and relaying a message to his teammates.

"I'm trying to put it out into the world. I'm trying to manifest it," Burrow said. "I'm trying to show our guys the urgency that I have and that I want us to have as an organization to go and make it happen."

"You can keep pushing it down the road, or you can talk about it now and say this is the year. I'm tired of saying, 'Next year, next year, next year.' This is it."

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Burrow, a three-time Pro Bowler, is familiar with getting to the championship game, as he led the Bengals there during his breakout sophomore season in Cincinnati.

Unfortunately, they were on the losing side to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI, in a close 23-20 game. Despite that loss, the Bengals remained among the favorites to contend for the championship.

However, the following year, Burrow and the Bengals were eliminated in the AFC Championship Game by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-20. The Chiefs then went on to become the Super Bowl champions.

Returning to the big game for a chance at the Lombardi Trophy has probably fueled Burrow during his career. That said, the competition has grown over the years, with the rise of AFC teams including Drake Maye and the New England Patriots, and Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos.

This upcoming season could be even more difficult as the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs should all be vying for the NFL Playoffs. That said, Cincinnati's offseason upgrades to the defense may have seriously boosted their chances of contending.

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