- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,263,850
- Reaction score
- 59
Joe Burrow took time to talk with Kay Adams of the Up and Adams Show following practice Tuesday, along with Ja’Marr Chase and Dexter Lawrence. The franchise quarterback spoke about some of the changes the offense has made throughout training camp, as well as what it has been like going against the new Cincinnati Bengals defense.
Adams asked whether Lawrence was a big part of Burrow’s increased confidence that this year’s roster has all the pieces to be championship-caliber, to which Burrow responded with a strong yes. However, he went out of his way to shout out other members of the defense, including other offseason additions and returners.
Burrow mentioned the signings of Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook, as well as retaining D.J. Turner, Dax Hill and Jalen Davis in the secondary.
Mafe and Allen were brought in to bolster a defensive line that struggled outside of Trey Hendrickson, who left in free agency. They both were slotted in as starters on Cincinnati’s first depth chart of the 2026 season, which should come as no surprise to anyone. The two defensive linemen will bring both veteran experience and leadership to the trenches this year.
The other offseason splash was Cook, who signed a three-year deal to become one of the Bengals’ starting safeties. He was one of the more coveted free agents in the secondary over the offseason, so Cincinnati locking him down to a multiyear contract puts a proven veteran at the second level who has been growing as a leader throughout training camp.
Then there are the returning players Burrow named, who all come from the cornerback room in Turner, Hill and Davis. Turner and Hill return to their starting jobs on the outside, while Davis seems to be stepping into a major role at the nickel cornerback position after performing later in the year last season.
The Bengals worked to improve a defense that was toward the bottom of the league in several metrics and statistics last year. The question now will be whether the revamped defense can put it all together come Week 1.
The players Burrow mentioned should all see the field Thursday night against the Lions in the preseason opener, but how many snaps they will play is still up in the air. Cincinnati’s leader is confident in this year’s defense to perform, saying there are a lot of guys who can go out and produce winning-level football all season.
Continue reading...
Adams asked whether Lawrence was a big part of Burrow’s increased confidence that this year’s roster has all the pieces to be championship-caliber, to which Burrow responded with a strong yes. However, he went out of his way to shout out other members of the defense, including other offseason additions and returners.
Burrow mentioned the signings of Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook, as well as retaining D.J. Turner, Dax Hill and Jalen Davis in the secondary.
Mafe and Allen were brought in to bolster a defensive line that struggled outside of Trey Hendrickson, who left in free agency. They both were slotted in as starters on Cincinnati’s first depth chart of the 2026 season, which should come as no surprise to anyone. The two defensive linemen will bring both veteran experience and leadership to the trenches this year.
The other offseason splash was Cook, who signed a three-year deal to become one of the Bengals’ starting safeties. He was one of the more coveted free agents in the secondary over the offseason, so Cincinnati locking him down to a multiyear contract puts a proven veteran at the second level who has been growing as a leader throughout training camp.
Then there are the returning players Burrow named, who all come from the cornerback room in Turner, Hill and Davis. Turner and Hill return to their starting jobs on the outside, while Davis seems to be stepping into a major role at the nickel cornerback position after performing later in the year last season.
The Bengals worked to improve a defense that was toward the bottom of the league in several metrics and statistics last year. The question now will be whether the revamped defense can put it all together come Week 1.
The players Burrow mentioned should all see the field Thursday night against the Lions in the preseason opener, but how many snaps they will play is still up in the air. Cincinnati’s leader is confident in this year’s defense to perform, saying there are a lot of guys who can go out and produce winning-level football all season.
Continue reading...
