"We’ve just become soft": Micah Parsons claps back at criticism of Joe Burrow's Bengals for risking $275,000,000 QB in preseason game vs. Commanders

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had fans holding their breath in Monday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders.

Burrow, who signed a five-year, $275 million deal with Cincinnati in 2023, played some reckless football. From a 17-yard sack on his 2-yard line to scrambles that had Troy Aikman pleading, “Go down, Joe. It’s August,” the preseason game was anything but safe for Burrow.

NFL insider Clarence Hill Jr. quote-tweeted a video of Burrow taking a sack and commented sarcastically:

“Play your franchise qb in the preseason they said."

However, Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons wasn’t having it and clapped back on X.

“This is what needed! We’ve just become soft in my generation! You gotta figure what’s wrong in preseason, they will become better from it!”

Micah Parsons

@MicahhParsons11

This is what needed! We’ve just become soft in my generation! You have gotta figure what’s wrong in preseason, they will become better from it!

Burrow himself admitted it was a “bad sack.” The Bengals QB went 9-of-14 for 62 yards and one touchdown.

Zac Taylor on Joe Burrow's preseason outing vs. Commanders

Bengals fans got a taste of Joe Burrow under center this preseason, but it was not all pretty. Facing the Commanders, Burrow endured a chaotic five-series stretch that left head coach Zac Taylor walking a fine line between concern and confidence.

“Do I love seeing that? No, I don’t,” Taylor admitted when asked about Burrow’s near-disastrous moments. “But at the same time, he’s out there learning what he can and can’t do.”

Taylor’s stance was clear. He wanted his star QB to feel game pressure before September. The Bengals’ offense looked stripped down, with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown pulled early. That left Burrow to rally the unit himself in the second quarter, which he did, leading two scoring drives.

Taylor praised his signal-caller, stating,

“He did a good job… feel the rush, feel the environment, be in the huddle with his guys.”

Burrow called the outing a mix of “some good plays, some bad plays.” The ultimate win for Taylor and the Bengals, apart from the 31-18 scoreline, was that Burrow walked away unscathed.