CINCINNATI – Joe Burrow didn’t become “Joe Brr” by not knowing how to keep it a buck. Certainly short of soul-bearing, Burrow at least offers a glimpse into his actual self – while maintaining some level of coyness – and that’s not always the case with franchise quarterbacks in 2025.
So when he appears genuinely optimistic about the Cincinnati Bengals’ upcoming season it’s hard not to drink the Kool-Aid that flows along the banks of the Ohio River.
QB Joe Burrow: this group of Bengals wide receivers is deepest of my career
For starters, Burrow declared Wednesday after practice he feels the best he has while throwing the football in some time. If the eye test is worth anything, Wednesday’s practice backed up that claim. The man passed for 4,913 yards and 43 touchdowns and feels better.
Maybe it was because edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, coming off an All-Pro year, reported to camp Wednesday amid tense contract negotiations, thus ending his holdout. He didn’t practice, making it a “hold-in,” but the vibes were better in the building as a result, Burrow said.
Back in the fold already are Burrow’s top two targets, receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, both of whom received lucrative extensions this offseason. The bad news for Burrow and the Bengals’ offense is that the offensive line still has question marks.
A significant percentage of the team’s success, however, hinges on the defense. The unit was among the league’s worst in 2024 and received much of the blame for the team’s 9-8 record and failure to make the playoffs.
Al Golden replaces Lou Anarumo (now with the Indianapolis Colts) as defensive coordinator. Burrow has been a fan of what he’s seen from the opposite side of the ball through the first week of camp, despite the installation of a new defense. The defensive backs are understanding where their help is, an example of grasping nuances within coverage schemes, Burrow said. The absence of mental errors is encouraging, he added.
Burrow, by name, called out defensive tackle T.J. Slayton as somebody who “is going to be a great player for us, the energy he brings, the physicality he brings. I’m really excited to watch that on Sundays.”
The games and stunts to create pressures by the defensive line is something Burrow said he has gone against – and knows from experience is difficult to deal with.
“And they’re doing it at a high level,” Burrow said.
With Hendrickson back in the fold – it appears – Burrow wasn’t afraid to reveal his aspirations.
“I think it’s got a chance to be a special year,” he said.
After cornerback Josh Newton picked Burrow off during 7-on-7 drills in the end zone, the defense as a unit started jawing. The smack talk from the secondary lasted all practice.
“Need that energy from them,” Burrow said. “Defense is built off that energy. Great defense is not always necessarily played with the mind. A lot of times it’s energy, emotion, physicality.”
Trey Hendrickson’s holdout becomes hold-in at Bengals training camp
Unlike last season, Burrow wants to play in the preseason to get used to hits and speed at which the pocket disintegrates. No decisions have been made regarding his participation on Aug. 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Bengals started 1-4 last season and never recovered, even with five straight wins to close out the year. Burrow has been intentional in his public statements about the need for a better start in 2025. That’s another reason why Burrow has placed more value on the preseason.
“We’ll find out,” Burrow said of the team’s goal to start fast, “…I’m very positive about the energy, the morale that we have in the locker room right now.”
And given all that’s been said about the Bengals for the past several months, maybe it’s been cool – “Joe Brr” cool – all along.