I haven’t really followed the gossip wassap with Jermaine Burton?

[*ochocincos*]

I see people mentioning Burton challenging for WR3, but is WR3 really a problem with Iosivas there?

Here's a look at the Top 4 receiving options each of the past 3 years:

2022:
Option 1 - 1046 yards, 9 TDs (Chase)
Option 2 - 1029 yards, 7 TDs (Higgins)
Option 3 - 762 yards, 5 TDs (Boyd)
Option 4 - 414 yards, 2 TDs (Hurst)

2023:
Option 1 - 1216 yards, 7 TDs (Chase)
Option 2 - 667 yards, 2 TDs (Boyd)
Option 3 - 656 yards, 5 TDs (Higgins)
Option 4 - 352 yards, 1 TD (Hudson)

2024:
Option 1 - 1708 yards, 17 TDs (Chase)
Option 2 - 911 yards, 10 TDs (Higgins)
Option 3 - 665 yards, 2 TDs (Gesicki)
Option 4 - 479 yards, 6 TDs (Iosivas)

Option 3 is almost always going to be in the 600-800 range.
Option 4 is usually in the 300-500 range.

I don't think we need to be so worried about the WR3 putting up 600+ yards and trying to be like Boyd.
Gesicki is a (more than) capable 3rd option in the offense and WR3 can be a fine 4th option.

To me, Burton was added as insurance in case Higgins ended up departing, but he didn't (partly I'm sure because Burton didn't really do anything to allow the Bengals to move on from Higgins).

Burton is likely to be a role player and hopefully put up 300+ yards in a reserve/specialized role, and that would be ok because they have all their primary options covered fine.