Stone Shields discusses the biggest talking point surrounding the Bengals: Joe Burrow playing in the season finale against the Cleveland Browns. With Zac Taylor confirming Burrow and the starters will go, Stone breaks down why he strongly supported Burrow’s return once healthy — building momentum, reinforcing team identity, and reminding the locker room what this offense looks like at full strength with Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown behind the best offensive line of Burrow’s career.
At the same time, Stone explains why this final week feels different. He dives into the very real risk of injury in a meaningless game, the physical nature of Browns matchups, and the added danger of facing a locked-in Myles Garrett chasing NFL history. Stone discusses league-wide precedent for resting stars in Week 18, the potential offseason consequences of an injury, and why sitting Burrow for just this one game would have made sense — even for someone who’s been “banging the table” for him to play.
From Zac Taylor’s perspective, Stone also examines why finishing the season with three straight wins matters to the coaching staff and front office, and how that narrative could shape the Bengals’ offseason decisions. He raises concerns about whether late-season momentum could be used as justification to “run it back” in 2026, despite deeper roster issues.
Stone makes it clear: watching Joe Burrow play is a privilege Bengals fans should never take for granted — but the stakes, risks, and optics of this finale are massive. The episode closes with a look ahead to what a win (or loss) against Cleveland really means, and what everyone should be watching closely as the season comes to an end.
Today's Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0WqMB6JoIo
OTHER CHATTERBOX PROGRAMING:
Chatterbox Reds: https://linktr.ee/chatterboxreds
Chatterbox Bearcats: https://chatterboxbearcats.podbean.com/
The Stone Shields Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/west-4th-and-long/id1828384424
Off The Bench: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-bench-by-chatterbox-sports/id1643010062
The Flyin Lion (FC Cincinnati): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flyin-lion-fc-cincinnati-podcast/id1701368522
513 Golf: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjPJjEFaBD7VUSfdVvGjbr1_CmCepLWpr
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