After his impressive performance in Super Bowl LVI, Cincinnati Bengals The past two seasons. But in the 2022-2023 season, the Bengals missed out on a return to the big game. Kansas City Chiefs They suffered a heartbreaking loss in the AFC Championship Game.
And last year, the team missed the playoffs after starting quarterback Joe Burrow’s season was shortened by a torn ligament in his right wrist.
The quarterback is currently recovering from surgery, but admitted to media on Tuesday that the injury has reminded him of the “death of football.”
“When the injuries pile up, football death is in the back of your mind,” Burrow said Tuesday. Mandatory team minicamp“So, it’s definitely something I’ve thought about and something I’ve had to fight for.”
The team is putting Burrow on a football-style “pitch limit” as he works toward a return. The Bengals don’t have a strict rule on how many pitches he can throw per day, but they have built rest days into the quarterback’s offseason program. The team said they want Burrow to prepare for the long haul, and they haven’t asked him to target a specific date, like the start of training camp or the second game of the preseason.
Burrow echoed that philosophy in his comments Tuesday.
“This year, we’re being more proactive.” said the Bengals passer.“I don’t need to be ready in mid-June. I need to be ready by early September through February. That’s how I’m going to approach this offseason, this rehab plan, these practices, training camp. I’m going to approach it with the desire to play in February.”
Burrow also spoke about his injury history, his new approach to his health and what he means to the team.
“That’s what this offseason has been like for me,” Burrow said. “This season isn’t about overcoming what I’ve overcome in the past. I’ve always prided myself on being mentally tough enough to push through pain and injuries, so my growth this offseason has been about taking a step back and understanding my value to an organization and to a team.”
As a quarterback, there’s always a delicate balance to walk when it comes to physical toughness. Playing through pain is part of the job, and the mental and physical toughness required at the position is crucial. Not many people have the guts to stand in the pocket and wait to throw a pass while a defender is running free. But standing in the pocket while being cornered by a player like Aaron Donald or Myles Garrett is a non-negotiable part of playing as a quarterback.
And there is a risk of injury.
That’s why Burrow’s comments are intriguing: How will he balance those pocket moments going forward? Will we see more of Burrow throwing the ball away or quickly popping out of the pocket to try to fight for the next down? Will his newfound awareness of his “value to the organization and the team” change how he plays his position?
Or will he continue to play like this going forward? San Francisco 49ers The scene from Week 8 last year where he found Ja’Marr Chase in the pocket collapsing late on a down.
How these questions are answered will go a long way in telling the story of Cincinnati’s season.
