Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow blowing away the defense in a scrimmage at training camp is impressive enough for the simple fact he’s done so after an odd all-virtual offseason.
But there’s another detail worth remembering– he’s doing it with backup receivers, too.
Burrow hasn’t had A.J. Green (hamstring injury), John Ross (COVID-19 list) or Tee Higgins (hamstring injury) on the field. Yet, he’s found serious chemistry with the trio of Alex Erickson, Auden Tate and Mike Thomas.
That has the attention of Zac Taylor, who says it is a good example of the culture he’s trying to build, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
“We have a lot of really good examples of that on our football team right now. Of guys that fit that description. And the guys that fit that description bring everyone else along with them. It’s such a good culture. You get here in the morning and see guys getting in extra work. It’s a really good environment to be around every day for the players.”
Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was just simply impressed with how well Burrow has adapted to multiple wideouts.
“He understands what they do well and where he needs to put the ball to particular people,” Callahan said. “He puts the ball where guys can catch it. The more he knows about his receivers the better prepared he is to make throws.”
It sure paints a positive outlook for when Green, Ross and Higgins do get back on the field in some fashion. And if they have hiccups during the regular season, it’s pretty clear Burrow is already plenty comfortable with some of the guys behind them on the depth chart at what is quietly perhaps the team’s strongest outright position.
