Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was officially placed on injured reserve after suffering a turf toe injury in a Week 2 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury, which occurred on September 14, requires surgery and is expected to sideline him for about three months. However, head coach Zac Taylor has not ruled out the possibility of Burrow returning later this season, leaving the door open for a potential comeback.
Taylor Remains Hopeful For Burrow As Browning Leads Bengals Toward Historic Season Start
Speaking on Wednesday, Taylor emphasized that the team has not shut down Burrow for the year, but he acknowledged that the immediate focus is on Burrow’s recovery and the mandatory minimum of four weeks on injured reserve. As of midweek, no surgery date had been confirmed. Taylor stressed that while a return is possible, the team can only take things one step at a time.
Joe Burrow (NFL)
With Burrow sidelined, Jake Browning will step in as the starting quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings. Cincinnati, now aiming for its first 3-0 start since 2015, will rely on Browning’s familiarity with Minnesota, where he previously spent time on the practice squad. Despite limited NFL experience, Taylor expressed confidence in Browning’s ability to lead the offense.
Browning Faces Former Team As Bengals Battle Playoff Doubts Without Injured Burrow
Browning, who went undrafted in 2019, spent two years on the Vikings’ practice squad before being released in 2021. He later joined the Bengals and, in 2023, helped secure a win over Minnesota with a pointed remark directed at his former team. Heading into this week’s matchup, however, Browning insists he has moved on from that chapter, focusing instead on preparation and execution.
Despite their undefeated start, oddsmakers remain skeptical about Cincinnati’s postseason chances. ESPN BET lists the Bengals at +140 to make the playoffs, reflecting doubts about the team’s ability to thrive without Burrow. Browning, unfazed by outside opinions, said he is focused on mastering the game plan and not on public perception, determined to prove he can keep the Bengals competitive in Burrow’s absence.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo recently gave high praise to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, igniting further debate over who is the best quarterback in the NFL.
In the new season of Netflix’s “Quarterback,” a moment between Spagnuolo and Burrow was caught on mic after the Chiefs’ narrow 26-25 win over the Bengals in Week 2 of the 2024 season. Spagnuolo told Burrow, “Other than our guy, you’re the best in the business,” referring to Patrick Mahomes. He emphasized that his compliment was genuine, not just polite postgame chatter.
This statement adds fuel to an ongoing debate among fans and analysts about who truly is the top quarterback in the league. While Spagnuolo’s comment highlights Burrow’s skill and leadership, fans of other elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen (Bills), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), and Jalen Hurts (Eagles) might disagree, as each of those players has also made strong cases for being considered among the best. Still, coming from a veteran coach like Spagnuolo, the compliment carries substantial weight.
Joe Burrow (NFL)
Burrow And Mahomes Rivalry Fuels NFL Excitement And Shapes Quarterback Legacy Debates
The rivalry between Mahomes and Burrow has become one of the NFL’s most anticipated matchups. Burrow currently holds a 3-2 record against the Chiefs, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier quarterback. Their clashes are not only thrilling but often pivotal in shaping playoff paths, and fans continue to watch their encounters with high expectations.
Although the Bengals and Chiefs aren’t scheduled to face each other in the regular season until 2027, there remains the strong possibility of a postseason meeting. Given the playoff intensity and history between these two teams, another duel between Burrow and Mahomes could be on the horizon.
Until then, the debate over quarterback supremacy in the NFL will continue, with Spagnuolo’s words keeping Burrow squarely in the conversation.
Netflix’s Quarterback Returns With Burrow, Goff, and Cousins After One-Year Hiatus and Receiver Flop
Two years ago, Netflix scored a surprise hit with Quarterback, a documentary that gave viewers an intimate look at the 2022 NFL season through the eyes of Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota. The show offered behind-the-scenes access to both the triumphs and struggles of life as an NFL quarterback, winning over fans and critics alike with its honest storytelling and compelling personalities.
However, heading into the 2023 season, no quarterbacks were willing to participate in a follow-up, leading to Quarterback being shelved for the year. In its place, Netflix launched Receiver, which failed to generate the same buzz or acclaim. The lack of quarterback participation left a noticeable gap, and the substitute series couldn’t fill the void left by the original’s success.
Netflix’s Quarterback Returns With Burrow, Goff, and Cousins After One-Year Hiatus and Receiver Flop
New Season Follows Burrow, Goff, and Cousins Through Dramatic, Contrasting 2023 Campaigns
Now, Quarterback has returned for a new season, premiering today on Netflix. This time, the spotlight is on Joe Burrow of the Bengals, Jared Goff of the Lions, and returning participant Kirk Cousins of the Vikings. Each quarterback had a notably different 2023 season, providing varied and contrasting storylines for the show to explore.
Burrow had the strongest performance of the three but couldn’t push Cincinnati into the playoffs. Goff led the Lions to a strong regular season but saw an early playoff exit. Cousins, recovering from a major Achilles injury, struggled to regain his form and was ultimately benched. With this trio, the show promises another inside look at the highs and lows of professional football—though viewers wary of spoilers may want to tread carefully around any content mentioning the series.
Despite the image many NFL teams project of being obsessed with winning, their true priority is often financial. The Cincinnati Bengals are particularly transparent about this, prioritizing profit over victory without pretense. However, this financial focus has repeatedly interfered with the team’s on-field performance.
Former quarterback Carson Palmer once noted that if winning isn’t the top priority, a team doesn’t stand a chance — a critique aimed squarely at Bengals ownership.
Contract Disputes and Stubborn Policies Continue to Undermine Bengals’ Readiness and Player Relations
The Bengals’ obsession with finances has led to disruptive contract disputes. Last season, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s readiness for the season opener was compromised due to an unresolved contract situation, and the team suffered a loss against a weak Patriots squad.
This year, they face similar issues with pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who’s pushing back in contract negotiations. These patterns show the team’s persistent failure to resolve key deals smoothly, leading to potential underperformance.
Joe Burrow (NFL)
The Bengals have also complicated matters with rookie Shemar Stewart, delaying his integration into the team. Instead of finalizing his deal promptly, the Bengals altered standard rookie contract language and refused to offer any concessions elsewhere in the agreement.
This move, seen as unnecessary and stubborn, not only risks Stewart’s preparedness but also reinforces the organization’s reputation for creating needless obstacles for their players.
Bengals Prioritize Power and Control, Risking Burrow Loyalty and Team Success
While finances are usually the core issue, in this case, the Bengals’ stance with Stewart appears to be more about asserting control than saving money. Incidents like past players sharing hotel rooms or not being allowed to take Gatorade highlight a longstanding culture of penny-pinching.
However, Stewart’s situation signals a shift toward power dynamics, where the front office seems determined to enforce compliance, even at the cost of readiness and team cohesion.
Despite these challenges, the Bengals have remained competitive, largely thanks to quarterback Joe Burrow. Yet their outdated and rigid front-office practices threaten long-term success. If the organization continues to value control and cost-cutting over player support and preparation, it risks alienating its top talent.
As Palmer once walked away due to similar frustrations, Burrow may eventually find himself weighing the same decision unless meaningful change occurs.
Joe Burrow values his privacy as much as he does being one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
That’s why many were surprised when Netflix announced in March that the Cincinnati Bengals star would be part of Season 2 of the “Quarterback” series.
Burrow joked that they “caught me on the right day I guess,” but said Peyton Manning’s involvement was the deciding factor.
“I have a lot of respect for him. When that guy reaches out to you and asks you to do something, then most of the time I’m going to say yeah,” Burrow said of Manning. “I probably wouldn’t have done it if he wasn’t involved, but I have a lot of trust and faith in him to not do anything that would hurt me or the team.”
Even though Burrow was upset about losing his privacy after someone broke into his house last December, he made a public appearance at The Met Gala in New York two weeks ago. That followed his trip to Paris Fashion Week last year with his friend and former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson.
“It’s a new experience. It was fun,” Burrow said about The Met Gala. “It’s about five minutes of taking pictures, and then it’s just a little dinner party. So it was good people, good vibes. I was happy that I was able to go. Maybe we’ll go again. I don’t know. We’ll see how we play it by ear.”
Burrow led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns last season, but during the team’s Monday night game in Dallas, his home was broken into.
“That was definitely a curveball I didn’t quite expect throughout the whole process, but the people involved in it, working on it day to day, were great and weren’t too intrusive,” Burrow said, referring to the production team.
The Netflix series is a collaboration between NFL Films, Manning’s Omaha Productions, and Patrick Mahomes’ 2PM Productions. Burrow and the Bengals were also featured on last year’s in-season edition of “Hard Knocks,” which focused on the AFC North.
Burrow said he watched a few episodes of the upcoming “Quarterback” season to give feedback to Manning and the producers but probably won’t watch the whole series when it releases in July.
Coach Zac Taylor said that having the camera crews around didn’t interfere with the team, even with two different shows filming. This season, Kirk Cousins from Atlanta and Jared Goff from Detroit will also be featured.
Joe Burrow (NFL)
“Part of the quarterback show is just behind the scenes playing quarterback. It’s not necessarily the home life and the off field. I’m sure there’s a little bit of that, but for the most part, it’s just a respect for the game,” Taylor said. “I hope people get an appreciation of what they go through every single day of game week and over the course of the season, and how their role can evolve.”
This offseason has been a good one for Burrow. His main receivers, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, both signed contract extensions. Burrow said he heard the news through a text while he was at the bachelor party of former Bengals defensive lineman Sam Hubbard, who recently retired.
Now entering his sixth season, Burrow said this is the healthiest he’s felt during the offseason.
“I’m not sure I’m changing too much. Just like every year you want to get bigger, stronger, faster. Refine things you can refine. That’s kind of the process every year,” he said. “I’ve had injuries that kind of change the offseason mindset a little bit. This year I don’t have any of those, and that’s great, because I can focus on getting better all around and become a more well-rounded player.”
Burrow said the Bengals need to improve their start to the season. They missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record, despite ending the season with five straight wins. Earlier in the year, they lost their first three games and were 4-7 at the bye week.
Cincinnati starts its season at Cleveland on Sept. 7 and plays Jacksonville at home in Week 2. That is followed by five games against last year’s playoff teams, with three on the road.
“This time of year is about the same. I would say we’re working a little harder in the weight room and running. But at the end of the day, we just have to go out and play better early in the year,” Burrow said.
“You can come up with all these different things to try to make that happen. I think playing in preseason games will help. We haven’t had those discussions yet, but based on the little that we have, I imagine we’ll be playing more, and I think that’ll help.
“But we’ll see. I think at the end of the day, we just have to take some ownership and come out of the gates and execute and play better.”
The Cincinnati Bengals have long been known for their unique front-office structure, operating without a traditional general manager. However, recent events suggest that quarterback Joe Burrow has stepped into an unofficial managerial role.
Burrow played a pivotal role in securing lucrative contract extensions for wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making them two of the highest-paid players at their positions. Chase signed a four-year, $161 million extension, while Higgins landed a four-year, $115 million deal, solidifying their place in the Bengals’ future.
Historically, the Bengals have been reluctant to spend heavily on player contracts, often taking a tough stance in negotiations. This frugality was evident last season when both Chase and Higgins struggled to secure new deals.
Bengals owner Mike Brown even expressed skepticism about overpaying players, emphasizing salary cap constraints. However, Burrow’s influence seemingly forced the organization’s hand, demonstrating that if the team’s star quarterback insists on something, management listens.
Burrow’s leadership went beyond the field, as he made it clear to the front office that keeping his key weapons was a priority. Following a crucial victory over the Dallas Cowboys, he publicly expressed confidence in the Bengals’ ability to retain Higgins.
Tee Higgins (NFL)
Later, during Super Bowl week, he directly addressed the Bengals’ management, emphasizing the importance of re-signing Chase, Higgins, Trey Hendrickson, and Mike Gesicki. His assertiveness put significant pressure on the organization to act, leading to landmark contracts for Chase and Higgins.
The Bengals have experienced the consequences of mishandling star quarterbacks before, most notably with Carson Palmer. In 2011, Palmer became so frustrated with the team’s direction that he opted to retire rather than continue playing for Cincinnati.
Recognizing the warning signs, the Bengals moved swiftly to ensure that Burrow never reached that level of frustration. Former Bengals quarterback Palmer even noted Burrow’s growing discontent, adding urgency to the team’s decision to lock down its core offensive weapons.
Bengals Double Down on Burrow, Raising Expectations for Super Bowl Success
With Higgins and Chase secured, the focus shifts back to Burrow. Having pushed for these contracts, he now faces heightened expectations to deliver results. The Bengals can no longer afford slow starts or missing the playoffs. If Burrow believes these players are essential to winning, then winning must follow.
Additionally, the Bengals must navigate the financial challenges that come with paying their quarterback and top receivers an average of $124 million per year, making smart draft selections and low-cost signings essential for roster depth.
What once seemed like an offseason on the brink of disaster has turned into a reaffirmation of the Bengals’ commitment to winning. By making these aggressive moves, the franchise has sent a clear message: they are all-in on competing for a Super Bowl with Burrow leading the way.
The next step will be ensuring they continue to build a competitive team around him while maintaining financial flexibility. If the Bengals can successfully navigate these challenges, they may finally achieve their long-sought goal of securing a Lombardi Trophy.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will participate in the Pro Bowl Games for the first time on Thursday night in the skills competition in Orlando, Florida. Burrow, who led the NFL in passing yards this season, had been voted to the Pro Bowl twice before but had previously declined.
The Pro Bowl Games face challenges getting star quarterbacks to participate, with Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, who both had deep playoff runs, not playing this year. C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans declined as an alternate, and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos passed due to a back injury.
The AFC quarterbacks besides Burrow are Drake Maye from the New England Patriots (who replaces Jackson) and Russell Wilson from the Pittsburgh Steelers (who replaces Allen). The NFC quarterbacks are Sam Darnold from the Minnesota Vikings, Jared Goff from the Detroit Lions, and Baker Mayfield from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who replaces Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders).
J.J. Watt, a former five-time Pro Bowler, criticized the event after five alternates were named, calling it the “Participation Bowl”.
The Pro Bowl Games, which have been revamped to focus on flag football, have completed their second year. The NFL reports that fan and player interest remains high, giving the event more stability.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international, and league events, expressed confidence in the new format. “This is different,” he said, referencing the shift to flag football. Since its start in 2023, the flag football game has averaged 57,020 in attendance.
Cincinnati Bengals players in the 1st half
The Pro Bowl’s return to Orlando in 2024 followed the success of the event in Las Vegas, and local officials are happy to host the game again. Steve Hogan, CEO of Citrus Sports, praised the high energy in the stadium and constant fan engagement. Visit Orlando’s CEO, Casandra Matej, said the Pro Bowl brings a $45 million economic impact to the area.
TV ratings have dropped across all-star events in other pro sports, but the Pro Bowl Games have performed well, with 5.8 million viewers last year—nearly tripling the ratings for the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.
O’Reilly shared that players’ feedback about the new format has been positive, with satisfaction increasing significantly since the event switched to flag football. This shift could be contributing to better player participation, with fewer replacements this year, even with the Super Bowl taking players away from the event.
The move to flag football has helped the Pro Bowl become more competitive, as players are no longer worried about injuries that come with tackle football.
Flag football has also made the event more relatable to younger fans who are playing flag football in greater numbers, which the NFL views as an important focus leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games, where flag football will be featured for the first time.
“We came together with the players, made the determination to move away from the tackle football game and create something that really accomplished a number of things,” O’Reilly said. “And at the core of this is celebrating some of the best players in the NFL, doing that in a way that works for them and has the right feel to it and is fun.”
The Cincinnati Bengals did not breach the NFL’s injury policy in the lead-up to quarterback Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 11, according to sources from the league as reported by ESPN on Saturday.
An inquiry by the NFL was initiated to explore why Burrow was not included in the injury report preceding the November 16th game against the Baltimore Ravens. A pre-game social media post by the team, featuring Burrow wearing a compression sleeve on his right hand as he disembarked from the team plane in Baltimore, raised questions. However, this post was later removed.
Joe Burrow (Credits: WCPO)
Burrow sustained a torn ligament in his right wrist during the game against the Ravens, recalling feeling a pop when making a touchdown throw to running back Joe Mixon. The injury occurred shortly after Burrow was hit by Ravens defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Post-game, both Bengals coach Zac Taylor and players asserted they were unaware of any pre-existing wrist injury Burrow might have had before the tear occurred. On November 17th, when Taylor announced that Burrow would be sidelined for the remainder of the season, he attributed the injury to the acute impact of Clowney’s hit. Burrow and Taylor emphasized that the compression sleeve was unrelated to the injury.
Burrow underwent successful surgery on November 27th to repair the torn ligament and has since been present with the team as he embarks on his recovery. CBS was the first to report the NFL’s conclusion that the Bengals had not violated any rules in this regard.
The Cincinnati Bengals officially placed quarterback Joe Burrow on injured reserve on Saturday, signaling the end of his season. Burrow sustained a season-ending right wrist injury during the team’s Week 11 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor had previously indicated on Friday that Burrow would be formally put on injured reserve by the weekend’s conclusion. Additionally, Taylor mentioned that the quarterback was likely to undergo surgery to address a torn ligament in his wrist.
Stepping into the starting role for his inaugural NFL appearance is Jake Browning, who joined the team in 2021 and secured the backup position for this season. AJ McCarron, in his second stint with the Bengals, was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4).
Joe Burrow (Credits: NBC 4)
Despite Burrow’s absence, he remained present at the team facility in downtown Cincinnati throughout the week. Coach Taylor expressed the positive impact of having Burrow around, noting that he lifts the team’s spirits and contributes value even when not on the field.
Burrow’s season has been marred by injuries, starting with a strained right calf on the second day of training camp. After nearly five weeks of recovery, he returned for the season opener on September 10 but suffered a reinjury in Week 2 against the Ravens. It took until Week 5 for Burrow to appear fully recovered, showcasing a league-high 73.4% completion rate until his recent wrist injury.
Leading up to the Week 11 game, a social media post briefly featured Burrow wearing a compression sleeve on his right wrist, though he claimed it was unrelated to the injury sustained during the Ravens game. The injury occurred when he was tackled by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, with Burrow feeling a pop in his wrist one play later as he completed his throwing motion.
Burrow’s season statistics include a 68% completion rate, 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Following Burrow’s injury, Drew Plitt was signed to the practice squad, providing the Bengals with three healthy quarterbacks.
In other injury-related updates, rookie running back Chase Brown, a fifth-round pick out of Illinois, rejoined the 53-man roster after being on injured reserve since October 28 due to a hamstring injury.
Following Joe Burrow’s unfortunate season-ending wrist injury, there has been an outpouring of support from fans, not only within Who Dey Nation but also from rival teams. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback’s charitable causes, the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund and the Joe Burrow Foundation, have experienced a significant increase in donations since the team’s announcement of his season-ending absence.
The surge in contributions can be attributed in large part to a Facebook post originating from a Kansas City Chiefs fan page called “Chiefs Kingdom Memes – CKM,” boasting around 64,000 followers. The post, acknowledging the intense rivalry between the Bengals and Chiefs in recent years, urged Chiefs fans to donate $9 to the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund as a gesture of respect for Burrow in light of his injury.
Joe Burrow (Credits: CBS Sports)
Despite the heated competition between the Bengals and Chiefs, the post resonated with Chiefs fans, leading to a substantial influx of donations. Fans of the Bengals and supporters from various teams across the league quickly rallied behind the initiative.
One donor, Cory Xenos, expressed solidarity, stating, “I’m in #chiefskingdom, but we wish you a speedy recovery, Joe! We’re sending love to you and the community!” Another contributor, Matthew Poliachik, exemplified the widespread support, declaring, “To show support for #9 in the wake of his injury, after everything he’s done for the state of Ohio! Love from a Bills Mafia member living in Ohio!”
As of Saturday evening, the Facebook post garnered 967 likes and 758 shares. The Joe Burrow Foundation also reported a surge in donations, expressing gratitude to Bengals Nation and fans from across the league for their contributions to the Joe Burrow Foundation in support of Joe.
The Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund, established by the Athens County Food Pantry, and the Joe Burrow Foundation, founded by Burrow, his parents, and other community leaders, both encourage a $9 donation in honor of Burrow’s jersey number, known as “$9 for 9.” However, contributors are welcome to donate any amount they choose.
Thursday night’s game took a worrisome turn for the Cincinnati Bengals as Joe Burrow, their star quarterback, left the field due to an apparent right wrist sprain. The Bengals, collectively holding their breath, are anxiously awaiting updates on Burrow’s condition.
After Cincinnati’s 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Zac Taylor informed reporters that Burrow sustained the sprain during the game, emphasizing that he was unaware of any pre-existing injury. Taylor stated, “It looks like he sprained his wrist. So, he fell on it early in the game and felt it on the touchdown pass.”
Joe Burrow (Credits: NFL)
Interestingly, video footage from Prime Video’s broadcast showed Burrow entering the stadium with a brace on his right hand/wrist before the game. Despite this, he was not listed on the Bengals’ injury report earlier in the week. Taylor expressed his lack of awareness regarding Burrow’s wrist injury before Thursday night’s match.
Burrow’s exit occurred in the second quarter of the Week 11 game after a 4-yard touchdown throw to Joe Mixon. Although he returned to the sideline in the second half, he was seen wearing a beanie instead of a helmet. The discomfort became apparent when, after the follow-through of his touchdown pass, Burrow bent over in clear pain. Attempts to throw on the sideline further revealed his distress, leading him to exit the field and head to the locker room.
Jake Browning stepped in as Burrow’s replacement, completing 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Prior to his departure, Burrow had managed 11 of 17 passes for 101 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Earlier in the year, Burrow grappled with a calf strain that sidelined him during the preseason and impacted his performance at the start of the season. Despite the setback, both Burrow and the Bengals rebounded, securing a four-game winning streak before a Week 10 loss to the Houston Texans. Now, with this new wrist ailment, concerns about Burrow’s health loom over the team.
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase wanted to catch more passes in Week 3, and he did, even if they were not long throws.
Before Week 3, Ja’Marr Chase had gotten hold of 10 passes for a total of 70 receiving yards in the first two games. But in the Monday night game they played with the L.A. Rams, he did even better. He got hold of 12 passes for 141 yards, which was his best performance yet on the pitch.
“Before the game, I promised my friend Jamar Chase that I would give him the football more often, and he really deserved it. He had a great game. He was so excited to play. He proved that he is actually one of the best players.
Joe Burrow (Credits: DraftKings Network)
The team still performed well despite quarterback Joe Burrow suffering a calf injury. At first, I could not make the big plays I usually do, but as the game progressed, I got better. One of our star players, Jamar Chase, started catching short passes and started playing well against the Rams’ defense.
Joe Changed His Game. I Heard Some Good Things from Joe
“The best thing I can do is make him look good,” Chase said. “That is the best thing I can do, make him look good. He helps me look good. We make each other look good. Just be there for him.” The only thing I can do is be there for him.
The most explosive play of the game was one of the few moments when Burrow stepped out of the pocket, pretended to throw, rolled to his right, and hit Chase for a 43-yard double play.
Ja’Marr Chase (Credits: WCPO)
The play that showed how well Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow work together happened in the third quarter. It was third down, and we needed to get 10 yards to keep going. Joe threw the ball just right behind Ja’Marr, and Ja’Marr reached back to catch it for a first down.
If Joe had thrown it differently, the other team might have stopped us or even taken the ball. But Joe knew just where to throw it, and Ja’Marr made a great catch. After that play, we scored a touchdown.
“Joe changed his game. I heard some good things from Joe,” Chase said. “He threw the ball backward, so I would not get hit. He helped me avoid hitting Hughes. Good ball.”
It is a great ball. And even if Burrow isn’t close to 100%, it’s a sign that he can still make game-changing plays for the Bengals as they try to dig out of another early-season hole.