Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters before the NFL combination that he would play for any team that recruited him, which means he has to face the reality that he is will probably lead to the humble Bengals of Cincinnati. The winner of the 2019 Heisman Trophy should be someone who can come and go quickly to the Bengals, but he’s going to need some help.
According to Peter King of NBC’s Football Morning in America, Burrow met with a delegation of Bengals last week, and he made it clear that he wanted the team to find a way to keep receiver A.J. Green wide. The seven-time Pro Bowler has played in just nine games in the past two seasons because different foot injuries have kept him sidelined. Green, who turns 32 this offseason, has been one of the NFL’s top receivers for the past decade. In 111 career games, he registered 602 receptions for 8,907 yards and 63 touchdowns.
This weekend, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Bengals plan to cross green tag, as they want in Cincinnati this year, either through the tag, or on a longer offer, because he is an unrestricted free agent. The Bengals have never hesitated in regards to their confidence in their longtime player, and earlier this off-season, head coach Zac Taylor said Green is part of Cincinnati’s plans for the future.
“He’s a guy we are thrilled to be part of this team, first and foremost. That’s what counts right now,” said Taylor. “As we cross the off-season, we will find the best solution. But for the moment, we expect him to be part of the team. We want him to be part of the team.”
“He has certainly been a valued member in the past two years and has done great things. I am delighted to coach him, truly for the first time this season.”
While the Bengals are only 8-24 years old in the past two years and haven’t won a playoff game for 30 years, an offense that includes likes of Burrow, Green, Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd, John Ross III and Tyler Eifert does not. Don’t look so bad on paper. It could be the dawn of a new day in Queen City.