Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has supported protests against racial inequality in the United States following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday.

Burrow tweeted the following Friday:

The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen, and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights.

— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) May 29, 2020

Floyd died after being physically restrained after he was arrested in response to alleged forgery. A police officer put pressure on the back of Floyd's neck with his knee while Floyd was handcuffed on the ground. A witness' video showed Floyd repeatedly telling the officer that he couldn't breathe, but the officer didn't move his knee, and Floyd was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.

Protests and riots have ensued in Minneapolis and its surrounding areas, resulting in several stores and businesses getting looted and burned down.

Burrow, 23, was the No. 1 overall pick in last month's 2020 NFL draft. Cincinnati took him in hopes that he'll become the face of the franchise after winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship at LSU last season.

The Athens, Ohio, native enjoyed what was unquestionably one of the greatest quarterback seasons in college football history, completing 76.3 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

In Cincinnati, Burrow will take the reins for a team that went 2-14 last season and hasn't reached the playoffs since 2015.

The up-and-coming star is one of many well-known athletes who have spoken out about the Floyd situation thus far, including former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the playing of the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial inequality, social injustice and police brutality.

Burrow is one of the biggest names in sports before having ever played a down in the NFL, so his comments figure to carry a lot of weight with fans.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon "had productive talks" with the team as he approaches the final year of his rookie contract, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Mixon is set to earn $1.2 million in 2020 before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The 2017 second-round pick ran for 1,137 yards and five touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. Football Outsiders ranked him 17th in DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) among the 45 running backs with at least 100 carries.

Joe Mixon’s best plays from an 1,137-yard rushing season! 🐯@Joe_MainMixon pic.twitter.com/RteTFJfNXC

— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2020

Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, told Lance McAlister of 700 WLW the team had been in negotiations with the former Oklahoma star about a long-term extension (via Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper):

"Joe's obviously a guy that's shown a lot of ability. He's in a year that he can be extended, and he is a guy that we visited with. We'll go through those discussions and see if there is a fit or a match for a long-term contract with him, obviously a guy we value quite a bit. The great thing about Joe is he goes about it the right way. ... He's the type of guy you want to lock up to a long-term deal. We'll see if we can find the commonality to get that done over time here."

Playing out the 2020 season with the idea of building his value further would make sense for Mixon. Although he has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons, few would classify him as an elite running back.

However, the 24-year-old might be one of many talented running backs available on the open market.

Although the Carolina Panthers already gave Christian McCaffrey a four-year, $64 million extension, Todd Gurley, Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara are all set for free agency.

Cook and Kamara could potentially hammer out contracts with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, respectively, but there will still probably be no shortage of proven options for teams looking to strengthen their backfield.

To some extent, that gives Mixon an incentive to get something finalized with the Bengals now.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and it sounds as though the team could engage him in talks regarding a long-term extension. 

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin told Lance McAlister of 700 WLW (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk) the team would discuss Mixon's contract:

"Joe's obviously a guy that’s shown a lot of ability. He's in a year that he can be extended, and he is a guy that we visited with. We'll go through those discussions and see if there is a fit or a match for a long-term contract with him, obviously a guy we value quite a bit. The great thing about Joe is he goes about it the right way... He's the type of guy you want to lock up to a long-term deal. We'll see if we can find the commonality to get that done over time here."

Mixon said in December he wants to finish his career with the Bengals.

"I want to be a Bengal for life," he told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I haven't really thought about an extension. Right now is definitely the time to start getting into it. I don't know much about the extension part. I just have to go in and hopefully we work something out. I just wish for the best. The ball is in their court, not mine."

Mixon, 23, rushed for 1,137 yards and five touchdowns in 2019, his second straight year eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards. He added 35 receptions for 287 yards and three scores, serving as Cincy's primary form of offense as that unit dramatically stagnated in 2019 en route to a 2-14 season. 

On a better team, Mixon would have generated more buzz.

Have to appreciate how productive he’s been last two seasons in an abysmal offensive environment.

Still only 23 years old (24 in July).#Bengals offense should take big 2020 step forward & Mixon stands to benefit.https://t.co/iiQBm4HndZ

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) May 8, 2020

"I hope I put up enough tape for them to believe in me," he said in December. "I don't know their thought process. No matter what happens, I know I gave my all out there. I hope they know. We're going to see, man."

The Bengals have the makings of a solid young offense. Top overall pick Joe Burrow (23) will have Mixon, young receivers Tyler Boyd (25) and rookie Tee Higgins (21) and veteran receiver A.J. Green (31) to ease his transition to the NFL. 

Expect Mixon to once again be a huge part of the team's offense, and expect him to get a very nice payday before the 2020 campaign begins.

"I've been all about the team," he said in December. "It comes to a point where I've got to think about me. I hope for the best. I haven't thought that stuff over. I'll have a talk with my agent. That's what I pay him for. The ball's in their court. I'm not stressed over no contract. None of that."

The Cincinnati Bengals are unlikely to make any more major moves at quarterback this offseason. That includes adding a veteran backup for top overall pick Joe Burrow. 

"We're set. We've got three young guys we really look forward to investing a lot of reps in," head coach Zac Taylor said Friday, per Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We think they have bright futures. We feel really good about where we're at right now."

The team's depth chart includes Burrow (age 23), Ryan Finley (25) and Jake Dolegala (23). 

Longtime Bengals starter and veteran Andy Dalton left Cincinnati this offseason, signing with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency to serve as Dak Prescott's backup. While there was never any doubt that Burrow would be the starter in 2020, many teams often choose to surround rookie quarterbacks with a veteran mentor at backup.  

The second-year Finley isn't that guy. He appeared in all of three games during his rookie season, throwing for 474 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed just 47.1 percent of his passes and was 0-3 in his appearances.

Not exactly inspiring stuff. 

Granted, it will be a moot point if Burrow hits the ground running. Few quarterbacks have ever hit the NFL on the heels of a season as good as Burrow. Frankly, it's arguable that Burrow's 2019 campaign was the best college season in the history of the sport.

All he did was throw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and six interceptions, complete 76.3 percent of his passes, lead LSU to a perfect record and national championship, and win just about every major award in the book, including the Heisman Trophy. 

So if anybody is equipped to be a day-one starter, it's Burrow. Still, not providing him with the resources and wisdom that a veteran mentor could provide is an interesting choice. 

The T-shirt Joe Burrow wore during the 2020 NFL draft to honor his hometown will be made available for purchase.

Per TMZ Sports, Nike will begin selling the 740 area code shirt that Burrow displayed when the Cincinnati Bengals made him the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.

"740 this is Athens county area. ... I just want to show as much appreciation to this area as I can."

Joe Burrow on his custom shirt. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/GkZTIN5nAu

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 24, 2020

Demand for the shirt convinced Nike to change course in the two weeks since the draft, as the company previously told TMZ it was "not going to retail."

Before becoming the king of Baton Rouge by winning a Heisman Trophy and national championship at LSU in 2019, Burrow spent most of his adolescent years living in Athens, Ohio, home of the 740 area code.

Burrow is returning to his home state of Ohio to begin his NFL career as the face of the Bengals franchise.

The shirts will be released for sale May 22.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said on the Pardon My Take podcast that he is waiting to sign his rookie contract in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're just waiting to see what happens over the next three months because we really don't know," Burrow said (h/t Ben Baby of ESPN).

The Bengals took the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner and ex-LSU signal-caller first overall in the 2020 NFL draft. Per Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Burrow's deal is expected to be worth $36,190,137 over four years.

NFL draft picks aren't signing their deals en masse. ESPN's David Newton reported Friday that defensive tackle Derrick Brown, whom the Carolina Panthers took seventh overall, became the first first-rounder to ink his deal.

Ryan Young of Yahoo Sports also gave more insight into the league's uncertain near-term future amid the COVID-19 pandemic:

"The NFL has said that it plans to start the 2020 season on time in September, and even released the full schedule on Thursday night. However with team facilities still closed, no vaccine for the virus and testing still not readily available, the season this fall could look drastically different—potentially with a delayed start, games without fans or being canceled altogether. 

"It's easy to see why teams would want to hold off on officially signing high-profile picks amid that uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic could significantly impact their revenue stream this fall, with a loss of stadium and ticket revenue, altered TV deals and more being very real possibilities."

The league has some backup plans to save it some time if COVID-19 does force a delayed start to the year, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Of note, earlier weeks on the ledger could be pushed past the currently scheduled Week 17, which is slated for January 3. Super Bowl LV, scheduled for February 7, could also be moved back. And every Week 2 opponent has the same bye week, creating an extra spot for that game to reside.

Still, so much is unknown about the near-term future of the NFL and other sports worldwide as the coronavirus continues to spread, and that makes Burrow's decision to hold off on signing his contract understandable.

Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow said Friday he wasn't a fan of the school's live mascot, a tiger named Mike VII, because he's against keeping animals in captivity. 

Burrow, the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, appeared on Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take podcast (via TMZ Sports) and was asked about the smash-hit Netflix documentary Tiger King.

"Actually, I haven't watched it yet," he said. "I'm anti-animal in cage. So I'm not gonna watch it, I don't think."

The topic then shifted to the Tigers' famed mascot.

"Mike the Tiger is not my favorite part of campus," Burrow said on Pardon My Take.

The Tiger Athletic Foundation website run by LSU provides details about Mike VII, who was adopted as part of a donation from the Wild at Heart Wildlife Center rescue facility in Florida. It's noted the school hasn't purchased a Tiger since 1958 and "does not support the for-profit breeding of tigers:"

"By providing a home for a tiger that needs one, LSU hopes to raise awareness about the problem of irresponsible breeding and the plight of tigers kept illegally and/or inappropriately in captivity in the U.S.

"The tiger habitat and LSU's animal care plan are licensed by the USDA. The facility, tiger and animal care programs are inspected annually to ensure that they comply with the Federal Animal Welfare Act and other USDA policies and guidelines."

Tiger King features two owners of private zoos, Joe Exotic and Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, and their rivalry with activist Carole Baskin, who runs an animal sanctuary in Florida and has advocated for the end of for-profit breeding of tigers and in-person petting sessions between humans and young big cats.

The Bengals, Burrow's new team, don't feature a live mascot.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green said he's been in contact with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and is excited to link up when the circumstances allow it amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Green discussed his conversations with Burrow in an interview with Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official website released Friday.

"We've been talking back and forth. We were talking yesterday and I know he wants to get together and throw somewhere," he said. "I told him wherever he is, we'll come to him. I don't know where, when, how. It's all who can fly where and when. He's the quarterback. He makes his location and we have to get there."

Green, who missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury and received the franchise tag from Cincinnati in March, said he's also spoken with former quarterback Andy Dalton, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys after being released by the Bengals.

"We FaceTimed a few days ago," he told Hobson. "We'll always be friends. A friendship that lasts forever. I'm very happy for him. He's in a good situation with a good staff behind him and where he can help Dak [Prescott] because Andy is an unbelievably smart guy. He'll push Dak to be better and also help him."

Green was one of the NFL's most dangerous receivers across his first seven seasons after the Bengals selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft.

He ranked fifth in receptions (556), fourth in receiving yards (8,213) and sixth in receiving touchdowns (57) during the stretch from 2011 through 2017, per Pro Football Reference.

Injuries have derailed his career in recent years, though. Along with missing the entirety of last season, he was limited to nine appearances in 2018 because of a toe injury.

"It's a process of trying to be great. You play this game long enough, you're going to have these bumps in the road and you have to keep fighting," Green told Hobson. "That's where I am. Still fighting. I still love the game. I'm just ready to get back and play."

The Bengals still used the franchise tag to keep him in order to maximize the talent around Burrow, who's coming off a college season where he won the Heisman Trophy and led LSU to an undefeated record en route to the national championship.

Green will join fellow wideouts Tyler Boyd, Auden Tate and John Ross III along with running backs Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard to give Cincinnati a high-upside playmaking group, and the team's top target is confident he's ready for a bounce-back campaign.

"The ankle is back to normal," he told Hobson. "I really don't care what the circumstances are. I'm just going out there and play football and get back to being the old A.J. Having fun and making plays."

Although the NFL's offseason program has been moved to a virtual format because of the pandemic, the league has continued its preparations for the 2020 season, including the schedule release Thursday.

Green, Burrow and the Bengals are slated to open the campaign Sept. 13 with a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Cincinnati Bengals fans can now make plans to watch No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow attempt to turn the franchise back toward relevance.

By any measure, the 2019 season was a disaster for the Bengals. They finished with the NFL's worst record (2-14) and averaged their fewest fans since 1993. A.J. Green wasn't even around to provide occasional moments of excitement because he was sidelined for the entire year.

However, it could be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain if Burrow is as good as advertised. He threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns en route to winning a Heisman Trophy and national championship.

The fanbase won't be expecting immediate success in 2020, but some level of improvement will be the bar for success.

Here's a look at the Bengals' regular-season schedule, per Bengals.com.

         

Bengals' 2020 Schedule

https://twitter.com/Bengals/status/1258539609950224386

2020 Vision 👓

Mark your calendars & be sure to check out our official hospitality packages provided by @PRIMESPORT.

🗣: https://t.co/Ed9gdJLYK2 pic.twitter.com/AwjnoEDHFP

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 7, 2020

          

Analysis

According to CBSSports.com's John Breech, the Bengals have the sixth-easiest schedule based on their opponents' 2019 winning percentage.

While neither game should be considered a gimme, Cincinnati should at least like its chances against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Redskins.

The Jaguars are in a complete rebuild after trading away A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell and Nick Foles, on top of sending Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams last season. Handing the offense over to Gardner Minshew II makes sense given the franchise's priorities, but his performance over the second half raises doubts over whether Minshew Mania was more of a mirage rather than a taste of what's to come.

Washington made a big coaching upgrade by hiring Ron Rivera. He'll likely need a season to get the Redskins headed in the right direction, though, based on how Dwayne Haskins looked as a rookie. He was dead last in DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) among 34 quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts, per Football Outsiders.

Six wins might be the Bengals' ceiling.

The AFC North will be better with Ben Roethlisberger back healthy and the Cleveland Browns strengthening their offense. Cincinnati will also be clear underdogs in at least five of its games (Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts) outside of the division too.

         

Pivotal Matchups

Given how low the stakes are, calling any of the Bengals' games "pivotal" would be a bit of a stretch. Cincinnati isn't going to win the division, and competing for the wild card will almost certainly be a bridge too far as well.

The team's two dates with the Browns offer the biggest opportunities for schadenfreude and bragging rights. No matter what Cincinnati's overall record proves to be, Bengals fans would revel in watching Burrow outshine Baker Mayfield.

Assuming the Bengals end up in the bottom half of the league, their matchups with the Jaguars, Redskins, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants could have implications on draft positioning in 2021, when Trevor Lawrence is widely viewed as the crown jewel.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross broke onto the NFL scene with blazing speed at the NFL Scouting Combine and finished with a career-high 506 receiving yards during the 2019 campaign.

He joined Bleacher Report for an AMA on Monday and opened up about a number of topics, including the team's future with quarterback Joe Burrow at the helm of the offense, his speed, how he wishes he could have played with Randy Moss and much more.

The following is the full transcript from the AMA session.

                

@FlyEaglesFlyyyy: What did it feel like after running the fastest 40 ever?

It felt good just because in training I didn't get that close. I knew I was gonna run fast; I just didn't think I would clock that fast. In training I was around a 4.3 with some heavy legs, so I knew I was gonna get  somewhere close. But breaking the record was a blessing. Especially with me cramping up and just feeling like I wasn't in shape, so it felt really good

               

@Bills2021champs: Do you think the Bengals will make the playoffs this year?

Of course. I only say that out of confidence. I believe in where we're headed as a team with some of the new additions that we have. We're primed to make a lot of things happen.

               

@Bills2021champs: How excited are you to play with Joe Burrow?

It'll be good. I've worked out with him; I love his demeanor, how he carries himself. I've seen him do some great stuff on and off the field.

                   

@JCTheLit: What NFL legend do you wish you could have played with?

Randy Moss. Probably my all-time favorite football player. He used to do some things that a lot of guys couldn't do. He's probably the most talented guy to ever play in the league, especially our position.

                 

@chase_13: What was it like to catch your first touchdown in the NFL?

It felt good. The dream is to play in the NFL, on that big stage...it felt so surreal, and I was really excited and thankful.

                

@JackPail: Hardest CB you've ever faced?

I think Richard Sherman. I came into that game not as prepared as I could have for how good he is, but yeah, he's really good. 

                

@Steve_Perrault: What's your relationship like with Snoop Dogg?

Snoop was a coach who turned into a mentor who turned into a father figure for a lot of guys. He was there for a lot of guys. He's always supportive of me and everything that I do. I still have a good relationship with him; we talk almost every week. It's more of a family thing now.

              

@CocoPail: What is one goal you are hoping to accomplish this season?

Play all 16 games. That's my biggest goal.

                 

@mikeyoung345: Have you been staying active during quarantine?

I still get to workout individually with my trainers. Nothing's really changed for me...the only challenging thing is we can't be in our facilities.

              

@SmartDingus: What's the first thing you're doing when quarantine is over?

Taking my son to the most fun thing that we can possibly think of, because he's bored and driving us crazy. I can't wait until everything open backs up. He deserves to go somewhere and have fun.

              

@SportFanBeast: What's your favorite movie?

Life with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

             

@aakash: Favorite college moment?

Winning the Pac-12 Championship, biggest game I've ever won in my life, a moment I'll never forget.

              

@avrumisaffrox: Who encouraged you to play football?

Just my neighborhood, we used to watch it all the time. Grew up in Compton, Long Beach and the Lakers were everything. But I got into football just based on the neighborhood, kids playing around.

               

@noahtheboatPAIL: Who is faster you or tyreek?

I believe that I'm faster.

               

@JohnDavid06: Do you think you could break your 4.22 record now?

No. Maybe if I train the same way, yes. I think that day I could've run faster if I didn't start cramping. But if I had to run today, no chance.

              

@therealGM: If you could put together a four-person relay race team of NFL players, who are you picking?

Me, Tyreek, DeSean, Ted Ginn.

               

@TaylorMcQuery: How are you training during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I still work out every single day. Speed work, in the weight room everyday, and I'm on the field at least four out of five days a week. I'm on the field with T.J. Houshmandzadeh; we've been training together for the last few years.

           

What is your favorite game or play of your career?

I had the most fun in the league so far against the Seahawks, first game of the season last year. I wish we'd won, but I had a lot of fun. One of those days where I was very confident in myself, had a lot of fun with no limitations.

               

Go-to pre-game song or soundtrack?

The artists I love before a game is Nipsey Hussle, Bryson Tiller.

               

How far do you think the moon is from Earth?

I have no idea. Gotta be millions, gotta be.

              

Tell us about the John Ross Foundation and how you guys are helping out during this pandemic?

The foundation is about reaching out and mentoring inner-city kids and helping them out. In college I was part of a Big Brother program, kids labeled as "at-risk," and I didn't like that label...so I took that concept and ran with it...I realized my calling was to help them. I work with Long Beach, and when testing comes around, I put kids through a series of drills, get them active, because they say kids test better when they get to be out and active. I also go to classrooms, talk with some of the kids about how I grew up, what my plans are, basically reaching out and letting them know I'll always be there.

During the pandemic, I reached out to a lot of smaller businesses in Long Beach/Compton area and put together a budget and got 1,000-1,500 meals for families that couldn't provide for themselves.