Arkansas Bengal

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterAug 24, 2023, 04:17 PM ET CINCINNATI -- The battle to be the Cincinnati Bengals' backup quarterback is still undecided heading into the preseason finale. Coach Zac Taylor said Thursday that the competition between Jake Browning and Trevor Siemian is ongoing as Cincinnati continues to evaluate its options behind Joe Burrow, who remains out with a strained right calf. Taylor called it a “tight race” as the team wrapped up its last official practice of training camp. “Those guys have both really worked on the things we’ve asked them to improve on. I do see them getting better every single day that passes,” Taylor said. “There’s more comfort in working with that group and making the checks and doing the things effectively that we want them to do.” Burrow has not practiced since July 27, when he suffered the calf injury. He did not make the trip to Atlanta for last week’s preseason game as he continued his rehab process in Cincinnati, a team source told ESPN. Taylor declined to say if Burrow will travel for Saturday’s game at the Washington Commanders. “There's a lot of guys we will leave behind,” Taylor said. Cincinnati’s fifth-year coach also didn’t specify if Browning or Siemian will start against the Commanders. Reserve Reid Sinnett, who was signed after Burrow was injured, is expected to see some playing time in the second half. Jake Browning is battling with Trevor Siemian for the Bengals' No. 2 job behind Joe Burrow. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Browning and Siemian have not had many highlights throughout the preseason games. Neither has thrown for a touchdown. Browning has completed 66.7% of his passes for 235 yards and two interceptions, while Siemian has a 52.4 completion percentage and one pick. Browning, however, orchestrated the lone offensive touchdown drive of the preseason. He led the team down the field at the end of last week’s game against the Falcons. Rookie running back Chase Brown scored on a 3-yard run in the final minute. The game ended in a 13-13 tie. Taylor has not ruled out the possibility of adding another quarterback before the start of the season but said incorporating a new addition at this stage is not simple. “I think anything’s feasible,” Taylor said. “But at the same time, there are a lot of nuances to our offense when you’re asking that guy to learn that quickly and be able to operate it in a game, it’s a challenge.” Taylor has not issued a timetable for Burrow to return to practice but joked that the starter needs only “one rep” to be ready for the Week 1 game Sept. 10 against the Cleveland Browns. “He looks great,” Taylor said Monday. “Physically just walking around he looks probably as good as he’s ever looked at this point. That’s a positive and we will just go from there.” https://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/34558/how-joe-burrow-has-mastered-the-art-of-the-setback-and-why-bengals-hope-2023-is-no-different

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterAug 25, 2023, 06:00 AM ET CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow flashed a grin and tapped the knuckles on his left hand on the surface in front of him. Knock on wood. It’s a phrase and action Bengals coaches love to repeat in hopes of warding away bad luck. After Cincinnati’s first practice of training camp, Burrow both tapped the table and said the phrase when he was asked about being healthy for the first time during a training camp. “Knock on wood,” Burrow said, “I feel great. This time last year, I was sitting in a hospital bed post-surgery. It’s good to be out there with the guys.” That optimism didn’t even last 24 hours. The next day, during practice, Burrow scrambled to his right and immediately went down. He was carted off the field and was promptly diagnosed with a strained right calf. Suddenly, the Bengals found themselves in a familiar position. In the buildup to his four NFL seasons, Burrow has had to overcome some sort of obstacle during training camp -- COVID-19 restrictions, left knee surgery, an emergency appendectomy and now a calf injury. But those setbacks have yet to stop Burrow from preparing for the season or missing any games. The current situation appears to be no different. Bengals coach Zac Taylor has not indicated that Burrow will miss the team’s Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 10. If anything, Burrow has mastered the art of overcoming a setback. Over the course of a season, he has become adept at managing the situation until he is back at 100% health. “He’s gotten himself to this spot for a reason,” Taylor said. “Over the last three years, he’s had to deal with similar circumstances. So he’s a veteran at this.” Burrow has grown accustomed to being sidelined during the preseason. AP Photo/Jeff Dean AS A RESULT of his early setbacks, Burrow has gotten off to slow starts. In 2021, coming off surgery for a torn left ACL and MCL suffered the previous year, Burrow said it took several weeks for him to feel confident in his mobility. In the first nine games of that season, he rushed for five first downs. In the final 11 games, including the playoffs, Burrow scampered for 15 first downs, including two touchdowns. “It’s night and day from the first half of the season,” Burrow said leading up to the Bengals’ appearance in Super Bowl LVI. “I wasn’t really able to do any of that in the first half. I’ve really started to come into my own in that sense, making plays, extending plays. That’s something I’ve always been able to do.” In 2022, just before the start of training camp, Burrow suffered a ruptured appendix that required emergency surgery and hospitalization. He began practicing during the preseason, but there were questions about whether he could play in Week 1. “It was kind of like, ‘Huh, like is this going to be all right?’” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan recalled. Burrow began the season with a four-interception performance in an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Stealers in Week 1. But the more he was removed from the surgery, the better he played. From Week 6 until the end of the regular season, Burrow ranked fifth in Total QBR. Burrow also received votes for The Associated Press Most Valuable Player award for the first time. In early August, Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase joked with NFL Network that he wouldn’t mind if Burrow didn’t come back until Week 5 if that’s what it took for him to feel great. But in more serious tones a couple of days later, Chase said a healthy and effective Burrow at the end of the season is what matters most. “We’d be OK as long as he’s there for the end of the season,” Chase told reporters. “We’re worried about the bigger picture here, not the small picture. We’re trying to win.” Burrow has shaken off preseason obstacles to thrive throughout his career. The Bengals are hoping 2023 is no different. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire WHEN BURROW IS locked in during a team meeting, his teammates know it. “He's not writing a single thing down, but he remembers everything,” Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning said. But while Burrow’s electronic tablet may not have a ton of notes, he has remained engaged as the Bengals prepare for the season opener. Instead of Browning watching Burrow’s tape and giving recommendations or making scheme suggestions, Burrow is the one offering input on other people’s film. “It's been funny kind of having the role reversal a little bit where he's saying stuff to me and then coming up with ideas,” Browning said. Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd said Burrow has done a great job of staying mentally locked in despite not being able to practice. And his presence in team meetings has helped Burrow stay in sync with his receivers. “Not having your starting quarterback, that s--t's hard, at the end of the day,” Boyd said. “But I think Joe does a great job of staying in his playbook, still going over the plays, still in the meetings and still knowing and going through the mental reps in his head.” Burrow’s physical recovery has been limited throughout training camp. Ahead of the preseason opener on Aug. 11, Burrow had an extended throwing session hours before Cincinnati faced the Green Bay Packers. Afterward, Taylor said Burrow was progressing. Still, the Bengals have remained cautious as he continued his rehab process. Burrow didn’t travel for the team’s second preseason game so he could maximize his recovery time, according to a team source. Another source said Burrow was not participating in team walkthroughs ahead of the team’s preseason finale against Washington, with the thinking that staying off the calf could maximize his health for Week 1. On Monday, Taylor said the team has had a return plan for Burrow established throughout his recovery process. And Burrow looks far better than he did a year ago coming off the appendectomy. “Physically just walking around, he looks probably as good as he’s ever looked at this point,” Taylor said. “That’s a positive and we will just go from there.” Teammates say Burrow has done a great job staying engaged at camp despite being unable to participate. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire WHILE THE BENGALS expect Burrow to start against Cleveland, that doesn’t guarantee he will be 100%. If that’s the case, the Bengals have experience tweaking the game plan to accommodate him. In 2021, when Burrow was coming off knee surgery, Callahan said the coaching staff was more conservative in what it asked of Burrow on game days. Depending on his calf, the Bengals may have to take a similar approach at the start of this season. “There is an adjustment there depending on how he feels,” Callahan told ESPN, “where you do have to change a little bit of what you ask him to do and how he plays. It's hard to get guys to come out of their natural play state. But sometimes you have to.” If Burrow is unavailable to go for the opener, backups Browning and Trevor Siemian could be the ones making the start. Each has spent all of training camp battling for the backup spot. Taylor said on Thursday that neither has yet to win the job heading into the Bengals' preseason finale. Taylor has also left the door open for potentially evaluating other quarterbacks if the current options don’t provide any clarity. Browning has been on the team’s practice squad since the start of the 2021 season and was elevated to the active roster for the final game of last season. Siemian, 31, has made 30 career NFL starts but has struggled this preseason, completing just 52.4% of his passes. Browning, who has been good and bad throughout camp, has a 66.7% completion percentage in preseason games. Browning earned praise from Taylor for his urgency in camp and how well he has commanded the offense. He has also blended in well in the locker room. “He’s approached it the right way,” Taylor said. “Very likable guy. That’s critical for backup quarterbacks, that they get along with everyone in the building and they fit in well with the quarterback room and the coaching staff.” The way Burrow ended 2022 put him in contention for his first Most Valuable Player award. He went from managing setbacks to putting the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year. Cincinnati is hoping for a similar story -- with a happier ending -- will play out in 2023. “There's only a handful [of teams] that I think are true contenders,” Callahan told ESPN. “Him playing at that level would solidify us as a legitimate contender to be a world champion. And that's what we're after.” https://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/34558/how-joe-burrow-has-mastered-the-art-of-the-setback-and-why-bengals-hope-2023-is-no-different

Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer Wed, Aug 23, 2023, 5:19 PM CDT·5 min read On the first play of 11-on-11 drills at Wednesday's practice, defensive back Chidobe Awuzie stepped in front of Ja'Marr Chase and intercepted Bengals quarterback Jake Browning. It's a play that sums up the near month since Joe Burrow's calf injury and the battle between Browning and veteran Trevor Siemian for the backup quarterback spot. Neither has seized any momentum for the roster spot, whether in practice or in two preseason games as both have been given a split share of reps with the first-team offense. Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) is 26-of-39 for 235 and two interceptions in two preseason games so far. Browning, entering his third season in Cincinnati, snapped a 20-drive streak without a touchdown on the final offensive possession in last Friday's 13-13 preseason tie against the Atlanta Falcons. Right before that 8-play, 80-yard march, though, he threw an ill-timed interception. Each quarterback got reps with both the first- and second-team offenses Wednesday with mixed results. While there was success on short, immediate routes, neither signal-caller was able to stretch the field, outside of a Siemian 40-yard touchdown to a wide-open Trent Taylor on a wheel route that fooled Allan George. Zac Taylor shared positive news surrounding Burrow's injury earlier this week, but also said the backup quarterback race "is not over yet." The Browning-Siemian struggle is one of the key battles to watch going into Saturday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. How many receivers will the Bengals keep on the 53-man roster? Last August, the Bengals kept just five receivers on their 53-man roster and were able to stash Trenton Irwin on the practice squad after he cleared waivers. But there's a different feel to one of the league's top receiving units this summer after adding a pair of wideouts in the NFL draft. Along with the usual trio of Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, rookies Charlie Jones and sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas should make the 53-man roster. Iosivas has displayed his athleticism in the preseason, totaling nine catches for 94 yards on a team-high 20 targets. Jones, a fourth-round pick, has six catches for 47 yards. Bengals rookie Charlie Jones has six catches for 47 yards on 12 targets this preseason. Who is the odd man out? Irwin should slot in as the No. 6 receiver after an impressive final half of the regular season last year when Chase and Higgins were banged up. Stanley Morgan Jr. has five career catches in four seasons in Cincinnati but has been a special teams ace for Darrin Simmons. That could leave Trent Taylor on the chopping block if Jones serves as the primary punt returner. Speaking of pass-catchers, the Bengals will likely keep three tight ends. Drew Sample and Irv Smith Jr. seem like roster locks, leaving the third-string position up for grabs between Mitchell Wilcox and journeyman Tanner Hudson. With Wilcox coming off the PUP list on Monday, he seems to have the upper hand. Will offensive line versatility lead to cuts? The Bengals have their best offensive line in the Taylor era going into the 2023 season. Hitting on draft picks like Cordell Volson and offseason spending sprees (Orlando Brown Jr., La'el Collins, Ted Karras and Alex Cappa) have ensured that. There are still jobs to be filled in backup roles up front for Frank Pollack's unit. Last year, offensive line injuries hampered the Bengals down the stretch and into the playoffs. On the second-string unit, Max Scharping and Trey Hill are trying to be swing players, available at moment's notice to fill in at either center or guard. "See who can be really comfortable at both spots for us," Pollack said. Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jackson Carman (79) and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle D'Ante Smith (70) drink water while practicing in 91 degree weather at the Cincinnati Bengals NFL training camp practice in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. It's the same scenario for Jackson Carman and Cody Ford, who are trying to add value at both tackle and guard and should see a lion's share of reps against the Commanders. The Bengals like what they've seen from third-year tackle D'Ante Smith. If the versatility movement allows the Bengals to keep just nine offensive linemen (compared to 10 last year), Hakeem Adeniji could be out. A lot could depend on Saturday's preseason finale, both in pass protection and in the run game. There's been little room for running backs to run in two games thus far as Chase Brown and Chris Evans have combined for just 94 yards on 31 attempts, which includes a 33-yard run by Evans against Green Bay. Bengals have a young, growing secondary With each rep, the Bengals young secondary − questioned as a weakness for Lou Anarumo after the departure of Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell − is gaining confidence. On Wednesday, seventh-round pick D.J. Ivey made another highlight-reel play with an athletic break-up of a back-shoulder fade from Siemian to Irwin. Ivey knocked it up and Akeem Davis-Gaither picked it off. "What made them grow early on is their ability to make plays early. That gave guys confidence. When you make plays early on against good players, they feel like they belong," Boyd said. Cincinnati Bengals safety Tycen Anderson (26) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) in the second quarter during a Week 1 NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals,Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Bengals drafted Dax Hill in the first round a year ago and brought in fifth-year man Nick Scott to start alongside him at safety. They also drafted Jordan Battle in the third round and had 2022 fifth-rounder Tycen Anderson coming back from a season-long injury. Who is out? Likely it would be Michael Thomas, a locker room favorite and special teams weapon. At corner, Ivey has played himself into a likely spot on the 53-man roster to go with D.J. Turner II, Cam Taylor-Britt, Awuzie and Hilton. That leaves Jalen Davis, Allan George and Sidney Jones IV battling it out. https://sports.yahoo.com/position-battles-watch-cincinnati-bengals-221917057.html?src=rss

Chris Roling Tue, Aug 22, 2023, 10:45 PM CDT·3 min read The Cincinnati Bengals face the good problem of needing to make some brutally tough decisions in order to form a final 53-man roster. That won’t happen until after the team’s final preseason game next weekend. Still, some of the developments in training camp and exhibitions themselves have started to help make the final roster picture a little clearer. There are tough — but necessary — calls the team will have to make in both trenches and even on special teams. These players are the best who might miss the final 53-man roster, which would put them in a position to find work elsewhere if the Bengals can’t find another way to keep them in some capacity. WR Trent Taylor Syndication: The Enquirer Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and rookies Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones. That’s five, plus it’s hard to imagine the team lets Trenton Irwin go. So unless they keep seven, Taylor — a capable player in the base offense and on returns — might lose out on the numbers game. OL Hakeem Adeniji (AP Photo/John McCoy) The rise of D’Ante Smith hurts Adeniji. So does the unknown presence of La’el Collins, who could start on the PUP or go to the active roster. Either way, the Bengals have Jackson Carman looking comfortable as a left tackle backup and the combo of Cody Ford and Max Scharping appear to have interior backup spots covered. RB Chris Evans Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports How many running backs do they keep? Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams and rookie Chase Brown, surely. Evans has seemed to turn a corner, but do they opt to just call up a practice squad ‘back each week rather than roster four? DE Jeff Gunter (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) This one hurts because Gunter was such a fun late-round breakout roster member last year. He’s still ascending, but the team drafted Myles Murphy and names like Raymond Johnson and even Owen Carney have been making some plays. If Murphy is hardly projecting to crack the active roster on game day thanks to Cam Sample, does Gunter make it at all? DE Tarell Basham Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Same story for Basham, who had the fun Ohio U. and Burrow connection when coming over in free agency. But that was before other moves and the team might opt for younger players they can stash. CB Sidney Jones Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Jones has looked uncomfortable in the scheme at times at the same time second-rounder DJ Turner has surged and seventh-rounder DJ Ivey has far exceeded expectations. Jalen Davis is a lock behind Mike Hilton in the slot and the team has to keep five safeties, so Jones’ time in town might be brief. P Drue Chrisman Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Unfortunately for Chrisman, this hasn’t felt like much of a competition. He had the absence due to a medical issue and rookie Brad Robbins has felt like the favorite regardless. https://sports.yahoo.com/best-players-could-miss-final-034510561.html?src=rss

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I switched from Direct TV to YouTube TV a couple of years ago when Direct TV started raising prices and no longer offering discounts. I'm very happy with the switch--even with YouTube TV's price increases, it saves me over $50/month. Plus, I can still watch TV when it rains! The channels are very similar--the only channel I miss is the History Channel. I signed up for NFL Sunday Ticket a couple of months ago when they had a $100 discount. Hopefully it will be the same quality as it was on Direct TV.

By Michael David Smith Published August 22, 2023 10:16 AM Jonah Williams has been the Bengals’ starting left tackle for every game of his NFL career, and he’s so identified with that spot that when the Bengals signed left tackle Orlando Brown this offseason, Williams asked for a trade. But now Williams has settled in as the Bengals’ starting right tackle, and he’s looking ready. Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan praised Williams for his approach to his new position, and for playing well there in the preseason. “He’s made a pretty seamless transition,” Callahan said, via Bengals.com. “Probably better than a lot of guys might have. And to his credit, I think he deserves a lot of credit for that, for his approach, for how well he’s played at training camp and in the preseason games. Very excited about where he’s at and very appreciative of how he’s handled that transition.” Williams is coming off a knee injury in last season’s playoffs, but he wanted to play in the preseason and the Bengals’ coaching staff wanted to see him get live action in his new spot on the right side. “Coming off an injury and playing on a new side, I think he wanted to get some live action. I think we were on the same page,” Callahan said. “Had we not said anything to him, he probably would have come and asked us to play, I would think. Just to get your feet underneath you in a stadium-game environment I think means something. But he looked very good doing it and he got his reps under his belt and feels good about it.” The Bengals feel good about where their offensive line is heading with Brown and Williams as their starting tackles. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals

Court case complete, Bengals' Mixon focuses on being 'leader' Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterAug 21, 2023, 06:11 PM ET CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon conveyed a sense of gratitude at training camp Monday. In his first news conference since the end of last season, and since a judge ruled Mixon not guilty of aggravated menacing, Mixon said it was a "great thing" to have his contract situation and criminal case behind him. When asked if he had any regrets about making headlines off the field or what happened over the course of the offseason, Mixon said it's a "blessing" to be with the Bengals for another season. "At the end of the day, I'm going to keep it to football questions," Mixon said. "But it's a great thing for everything to be pretty much over with and to be able to hone in on being the best teammate that I can possibly be, being the leader and the captain that I am around the team." Mixon's comments came one day after he announced a boycott of certain reporters for coverage he deemed to be disrespectful. The seventh-year running back also detailed his restructured contract that allowed him to remain with the Bengals. After the front office repeatedly stressed uncertainty about Mixon's roster status for 2023, the Bengals and Mixon agreed to a new deal in which Mixon's salary cap charge was lowered from over $12 million to $8.5 million for this year, according to Roster Management System. On Monday, Mixon was asked about why it was important for him to restructure his deal. "We see the Super Bowl window," Mixon said. "As long as we keep everybody together, we're right there. Hopefully these guys get their deals done." The Bengals' 2020 draft class is eligible for contract extensions. Linebacker Logan Wilson received a four-year deal worth up to $37.25 million. Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins are the others who have been in discussions regarding a deal. In his opening comments, Mixon cited his relationship with team president Mike Brown since the Bengals took him in the second round of the 2017 draft. "I can't ask for a better relationship from owner to player standpoint," Mixon said. Mixon is looking to enjoy similar success that he had in 2021, when he reached his first Pro Bowl. In 2022, he averaged 58.1 yards per game after averaging 75.3 yards the previous season. On Friday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was asked what will make the upcoming year a successful one for Mixon. Taylor said the primary concern is that the offense is among the best in the NFL. "How many rushing yards a game and how many passing yards a game we have does not matter to me," Taylor said. "We just want to be one of the top scoring teams in the league, do a great job possessing the ball when we need to and keep our defense off the field, controlling the game that way." Mixon, who is under contract through the end of the 2024 season, said he wants to finish his career in Cincinnati and wants to extend his time in the NFL for as long as possible. "I'm just going to try to do whatever I can to be what I am to my teammates and to the fans and try to do whatever I can to be that positive role model in this locker room," Mixon said. "Because that's what matters." https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38235326/court-case-complete-bengals-mixon-focuses-being-leader

Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer Mon, Aug 21, 2023, 6:07 PM CDT·4 min read Scroll back up to restore default view. Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor provided the latest update on franchise quarterback Joe Burrow's calf injury during his Monday press conference. Burrow hasn’t practiced since suffering a calf strain on July 27. With the Week 1 regular season matchup nearing closer, the timeline for when Burrow will return is the biggest storyline surrounding the team. Everything appears to be going as planned, according to Taylor. “He looks great,” Taylor said. “Physically just walking around he looks probably as good as he’s ever looked at this point. That’s a positive and we will just go from there.” The Bengals haven't made any public comments on Burrow’s timeline for return and any details regarding his injury. Based on his pregame workout before the Bengals-Packers preseason game on Aug. 11 where he was seen running and throwing, it appears Burrow is trending in the right direction to return. Where do Joe Burrow's contract negotiations stand? In addition to questions about his return date, his ongoing contract negotiation process with the Bengals remains a major story. It's unclear if Burrow would return to practice without a new deal in place. When asked why it's important to Burrow to practice every day and not participate in a "hold in" he provided valuable insight into his thought process. "I don’t want to get out of camp wishing I had seven more days that I could have got better," Burrow said on July 27. "So that’s the reason I’m here. Maybe business comes first at some point but I need these days to be my best." It's worth noting that Burrow's agent, Brian Ayrault, has been known to hold his clients out of practice during tough negotiations. Both Nick and Joey Bosa, close friends of Burrow, are represented by Ayrault and have held out at some point in their careers. That's not to say Burrow will do that, though, especially after missing several practice days. There are just a lot of variables at play in this situation. He didn’t make the trip to Atlanta for Cincinnati’s second preseason game on Sunday and it’s unlikely Burrow won’t travel to Maryland when the team takes on the Washington Commanders on Saturday for the preseason finale. When will Joe Burrow return? Asked how much time Burrow would need to be ready to play in a game, Taylor responded in a joking matter and said “one rep.” It was different last year, though. Burrow lost a significant amount of weight and couldn’t throw because of the appendectomy he had before training camp last season. His calf injury doesn’t present some of the same issues he overcame last year, which is ideal for his recovery process. “It’s a different injury,” Taylor said. “I would imagine – I hate speaking for other people – but it’s an unknown, how will contact feel? How is it going to feel when I torque? There’s a lot of things with an internal injury that I can’t speak to. That’s a whole different mindset you have to have. Whereas this one, it’s in a calf.” It’s assumed because of the public workout ahead of the Packers game that Burrow is throwing and going through workouts of his own in private. Taylor wouldn’t confirm that is the case, but it would be hard to imagine a scenario in which he was able to do so a week ago and not this week unless he suffered a setback which doesn’t appear to have happened. Burrow has been seen in the Bengals’ locker room daily in good spirits. The Bengals set a plan for him from the beginning and it all seems to be going as they expected which is positive news. “We have had a plan throughout,” Taylor said. “That is something that daily since the day it happened that we go through and decide what’s going to be best for the next day.” Cincinnati begins the regular season on Sept. 10 in Cleveland for an AFC North showdown against the Browns. https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-bengals-quarterback-joe-burrow-230740115.html?src=rss

Chris Roling Mon, Aug 21, 2023, 12:20 PM CDT·1 min read Not that Cincinnati Bengals fans should expect any different, but things continue to trend in the right direction for quarterback Joe Burrow. First, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan offered minor comments, per Russ Heltman of All Bengals: “To my eyes, he looks like he is progressing the way he’s supposed to. I don’t see him a lot doing things. I probably see him as much as you guys do. So I don’t go watch his rehab or anything like that, but I feel good about everything I’ve heard and seen so far.” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor met with the media on Monday and offered a bit more, per Fox 19’s Joe Danneman: Things continue to trend in an almost unconcerned manner for Burrow and the Bengals as his return for Week 1 looks all but confirmed, barring a setback. Somehow more concerning now is the shaky situation behind Burrow on the depth chart as the backup quarterbacks continue to struggle. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-offer-small-encouraging-joe-172045206.html?src=rss

Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer Mon, Aug 21, 2023, 2:14 AM CDT·3 min read Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas As Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd have watched from the sideline, the Cincinnati Bengals' leading receiver through two preseason games has been rookie Andrei Iosivas (pronounced yo-shee-vas). In the first preseason game against the Packers, Iosivas led the Bengals in targets with 10. He caught four passes for 50 yards, including a 14-yard catch in front of Green Bay's Corey Ballentine. In Atlanta against the Falcons, Iosivas got another 10 targets, finishing with five catches for 44 yards, including an 18-yard back-shoulder reception despite tight coverage from Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks. The Bengals have been impressed with the 6-foot-3 Iosivas, who is expected to be one of six or seven receivers to make the roster ahead of a Week 1 showdown against the Cleveland Browns. Here are five things to know about Iosivas: The Bengals drafted Iosivas in the sixth round with the 206th overall pick. Iosivas was one of two receivers the Bengals selected in the draft, along with fourth-rounder Charlie Jones of Purdue. Iosivas was the only 2023 draft pick from an Ivy League school. As a sixth-rounder, many considered Iosivas a project pick, but there's no denying his athleticism. In 2022, he was a first-team all-conference selection, leading the Tigers with 66 receptions for 943 yards (14.3) and seven scores in 10 starts. Iosivas finished his Princeton career ranked sixth all-time in receiving yards with 1,909, tied for 12th in receptions with 125 and tied for third in touchdown catches with 16. Iosivas' head coach at Princeton, Bob Surace, was an assistant offensive line coach for the Bengals from 2002 to 2009. Iosivas also starred in track for the Tigers. Iosivas was an All-American in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He finished fourth in the heptathlon at the 2021 NCAA Championships, setting an Ivy League record with 6,069 points in the seven events. Iosivas' 40-yard dash time was 4.43. His athleticism score of 84 at the 2023 combine ranked fifth among receivers. Iosivas grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. Iosivas was a three-sport athlete (football, track, basketball) at Punahou School. He traveled almost 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Princeton, New Jersey, for college. Iosivas didn't play special teams in high school or college, so he's been working hard as a gunner on the punt team and cover guy on kickoffs. "By my last gunner rep, both my legs were cramping, but that's part of the preseason life," said Iosivas, per Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. "You're so anxious to make plays that you're rushing things. I've got to learn to let things develop. … I could have got better position on one kick. On those I have to learn to have them come to me a little bit." Iosivas' Pro Day generated some buzz. Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline reported that 31 teams were on hand for the workout at Princeton, including WR coaches from the Jets and Bengals. "He caught everything thrown his way, and his route running was better than expected," Pauline wrote. Draft Network's Jack McKessy wrote that Iosivas looked great in Senior Bowl workouts as well. Iosivas has impressed the Bengals' quarterbacks. "Iosivas is gaining more confidence each day and he showed as much under the bright lights at Paycor Stadium," The Enquirer's Kelsey Conway wrote after the preseason opener. "Rookie wide receiver Andrei Iosivas built upon his head-turning training camp and was the best player on the field for the Bengals offense," The Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith added. "Andrei is big, he's tall, he's strong and he plays the ball well," Bengals QB Trevor Siemian said, per Goldsmith. "You want to give him some chances and let him make plays." "He's just going to continue to improve, grow and become a viable target here," Bengals QB Jake Browning said of Iosivas. "In the preseason, you want to see what you've got a little bit. I feel good throwing the ball up to him." https://sports.yahoo.com/andrei-iosivas-know-rookie-leading-071409436.html?src=rss

Aug 21, 2023, 06:30 AM ET In a little more than two weeks, the 2023 NFL season will be here. The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs open the season at home vs. the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Sept. 10. Much has happened since we last polled our experts in the weeks after the 2023 NFL draft: The Washington Commanders were sold, DeAndre Hopkins signed with the Titans, running backs Ezekiel Elliott (Patriots) and Dalvin Cook (Jets) found new homes, and Josh Jacobs still has yet to report to Raiders camp. Now that eyes are turning to the regular-season schedule, it makes us wonder. Who has the most at stake this season? Who is on the hot seat for each team in 2023? In addition to our preseason Power Rankings, our 32 NFL Nation reporters identified one player, coach or executive who has much to prove in 2023 -- some players are trying to hold on to their starting spot, while a few coaches/general managers are looking to stay employed. We did the same exercise in 2022, and out of the 32 names, 10 players are on different teams and four coaches have moved to different jobs. Who's on the list this year? 3. Cincinnati Bengals Post-draft ranking: 2 On the hot seat: OT Jackson Carman In training camp, Carman has played at right tackle to see how he might fare at the spot, if not for this season then in 2024, when he could be a potential replacement for Jonah Williams. But instead, Carman struggled with consistency and was promptly moved to left tackle after his showing in the team's preseason opener against Green Bay. The 2021 second-round pick has struggled to win starting jobs in Cincinnati despite being positioned for success. If that trend continues into his third season, it doesn't bode well for his long-term outlook with the Bengals. -- Ben Baby https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38209757/nfl-preseason-power-rankings-2023-teams-coaches

ByAP Updated: Aug 18, 2023, 10:56 pm ATLANTA -- — Desmond Ridder and all those young offensive weapons gave a glimpse of what they they can do for the Atlanta Falcons. A bunch of yellow flags slowed their progress. Ridder led an impressive but penalty-plagued drive in his preseason debut, and the Falcons settled for a field goal with 2 seconds left for a 13-13 tie with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday night. After sitting the starters last week in a 19-3 victory at Miami, the Falcons (1-0-1) went with the No. 1s for their opening possession. That included their last three first-round picks: tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson. Ridder, heading into his first full season as the starting quarterback, got all of them involved. London hauled in two passes for 33 yards. Robinson carried four times for 20 yards and snared a 6-yard completion. Pitts, coming back from a knee injury, made a one-handed grab. “They've put playmakers around me,” Ridder said. “It's up to me to let them go play. I put the ball in their hands." Ridder completed 7 of 9 passes for 80 yards and also broke off a 7-yard run before the drive ended with an interception off a deflected pass. Cornerback Mike Hilton appeared to make contact with intended receiver Scotty Miller before the throw arrived, but no flag was thrown. The ball bounced into the air and was picked off by defensive end Joseph Ossai. “The ref didn't make the call,” Ridder said. “That's something I've got to live with.” There were plenty of other calls. The Falcons were flagged for holding on the opening kickoff return and four more penalties on the first possession, including two holding calls on guard Chris Lindstrom. “Up 10, back 5,” Ridder said. “That's not the most efficient way to the end zone. It's about cleaning that up.” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor was pleased with his defense for stopping the Falcons when the first-teamers were on the field. Ridder and Co. played only that first series before calling it a night. “It was good for them in game-type conditions, against a starting offense, having their backs against the wall a little bit, and find a way to make a play," Taylor said. Despite the penalties and the pick, it was a promising start to 2023 for the young quarterback who carries Atlanta's hopes of breaking a streak of five straight losing seasons. Ridder started four games as a rookie at the end of last season, leading the Falcons to a 2-2 record and persuading coach Arthur Smith that he can handle the job. After a snoozer of a game, the final minute provided some dramatics in a largely empty stadium, with a bunch of backups and roster hopefuls on the field. Jake Browning guided an 80-yard drive to that put the Bengals (0-1-1) ahead 13-10 with 50 seconds remaining. He completed four passes for 42 yards and scrambled twice for another 33 yards, setting up Chase Brown's 1-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds remaining. But Atlanta third-stringer Logan Woodside connected on three straight passes for 53 yards before a third-down throw in the end zone was batted down. To a smattering of boos, the Falcons sent out Younghoe Koo for the tying 45-yard field goal with 2 seconds left. “Obviously, we're not playing for a tie," Smith said. “We wanted a TD there. But we were able to put Koo out there and he made a pressure kick.” The Bengals went with Trevor Siemian in the first half while franchise quarterback Joe Burrow continues his recovery from a calf injury. Burrow came up hobbling after scrambling at a training camp practice on July 27. Siemian was 7 of 14 for 62 yards, guiding the Bengals into position for Eva McPherson's 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half that sent the teams to the locker room tied at 3. Taylor Heinicke, the former Washington starter who signed in free agency to back up Ridder, was 13 of 21 for 162 yards and hooked up with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside on a 28-yard completion that up the Falcons' only touchdown. Carlos Washington Jr. took it in from the 1. CHALLENGE WOES Taylor's challenge game is still working out the preseason kinks. The Bengals coach challenged two calls in the first half — only to lose a pair of timeouts when both rulings were upheld. London's 21-yard reception was allowed to stand for the Falcons, while a video review confirmed that Cincinnati's Kwamie Lassiter didn't get both feet down on a throw along the sideline. BALL HOG Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams, a seventh-round pick out of Alabama, had an interception for the second week in a row. “He shows up when the lights are on,” Smith said. “That's what he did at Alabama. He can find the football.” LOTS OF YELLOW The Falcons finished with 13 penalties for 102 yards, while the Bengals were flagged seven times for 55 yards. INJURY REPORT Atlanta WR KhaDarel Hodge went down in the first half with a left ankle injury and didn't return. ... Another Falcons receiver, Penny Hart, looked groggy after being sandwiched between two defenders attempting to make a fourth-down catch. UP NEXT Bengals: Head to Washington to face the Commanders in their final preseason game Aug. 26. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401548625

Bengals: It's not just the two preseason games that have left the Joe Burrow-less offense lacking sharpness. After Burrow went down in the second practice of training camp with a strained right calf, the offense has sputtered. On Friday, backup quarterback Jake Browning (16-of-22 for 140 yards) fared better than Trevor Siemian (7-of-14 for 62 yards) who started in his turn in the rotation. But the Bengals didn't score an offensive touchdown in the first two preseason games until the final 50 seconds Friday, and the passing game isn't solely to blame. The run game has been inefficient and penalties have ruined drives. Unless the Bengals get some improvement or perhaps find another option at backup quarterback, Cincinnati can't afford to have Burrow injured during the regular season. The Bengals trotted out their first-team defense for a brief stint against the Falcons. We'll see if the Bengals follow suit for the preseason finale against Washington. -- Ben Baby Next game: at Commanders (6:05 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug 26) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38210608/nfl-preseason-2023-week-2-takeaways-schedule-highlights

Kelsey Conway Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Bengals are one step closer to regular season football. The Bengals and Atlanta Falcons both treated the second preseason game as their dress rehearsal Friday night at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor decided to play his defensive starters for one drive and so did Falcons head coach Arthur Smith with his offensive starters. Good on good, for at least one drive. So, let’s get straight into the biggest takeaways from the tie. Cincinnati’s defensive starters get much needed reps together Cornerback Mike Hilton was vocal this week saying he felt the starters needed to play in a preseason game to ensure they’ll be ready come Sept. 10 when they take on the Cleveland Browns. They got their wish and there was good and bad. Safeties Dax Hill and Nick Scott got to play with one another for the first time in a game setting. Rookie DJ Turner took the reps opposite of Cam Taylor-Britt with Chidobe Awuzie still working his way back onto the field. “Little shaky in the beginning…we needed that long drive to fix things,” Taylor-Britt said following the game. “20 plays (on) the first drive non-stop, how could you not be ready for the Browns with that drive? That’s something we’ll have to do Week 1. That helped us a lot.” The drive started with Atlanta moving the ball down the field with ease. But as Cincinnati’s defense often showed last season, they shore up in the red zone. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo always talks about yards gained not being his biggest concern. It’s about keeping points off the board and the Bengals did just that. In perfect coverage on third down from the 6-yard line with the Falcons knocking on the door, Hilton stepped in front of Scott Miller knocked the ball out of his hands and Ossai came down with the interception. “It was a good drive for us,” Hilton said. “Obviously, we wanted a quicker drive but that was good to test our conditioning and test our defense. It was big.” Backup quarterback job still up for grabs With one more preseason game to go, the Bengals’ backup quarterback role remains very much undetermined. It was the veteran Trevor Siemian who got the start and Jake Browning closed the game out. Siemian struggled with accuracy completing seven of his 14 pass attempts mustering only 62 yards in the air. Browning had a better outing than Siemian, but he also struggled at times. He rallied Cincinnati’s offense and led the group for their only touchdown of the night after an interception late in the fourth quarter. Browning completed 16 of 22 passes for 160 yards and an interception. “I thought it was good,” Taylor said of the quarterback play. “We got points on our last drive of each half, which is critical to gain some momentum there. Trevor [Siemian] did a good job in a tight situation, putting us in field goal range. He had to make an audible during the drive and he did a great job managing that. He stepped up in the pocket. Then at the end of the game, Jake [Browning] obviously had the big drive that took us down to score a touchdown. He had made some plays with his legs and had to scramble. I thought he saw the field really well. I thought there were some positives to build off of for both of those guys.” Jonah Williams gets ‘jitters’ out as the only offensive starter to play Without Joe Burrow on the field, it was hard to imagine a scenario in which Cincinnati’s offensive starters would take the field. However, Jonah Williams did get a chance to play as he continues to get acclimated to life as a right tackle in the NFL. Williams will be the Bengals’ starting right tackle this season and in order to ensure he’s comfortable, Taylor started him. “I thought it was good,” Williams said of his outing. “I’m the only guy making a position switch so I think it was valuable for me to get out there and get some game reps. Good to be out there, got some jitters out. I thought I played pretty well.” https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2023/08/19/cincinnati-bengals-vs-atlanta-falcons-nfl-preseason-lessons-learned/70629022007/

Bengals' Joe Mixon found not guilty of aggravated menacing charge By Chantz Martin Fox News Published August 17, 2023 1:40pm EDT A judge ruled that Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon not guilty of an aggravated menacing charge stemming from an alleged road rage incident earlier this year. "The standard of reasonable doubt is the highest standard that we have in our justice system, as it should be," Hamilton County judge Gwen Bender said prior to handing down the ruling. The decision comes a month after Mixon agreed to a reduced salary in order to stay with the Bengals for the upcoming season. Joe Mixon, #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals, stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium on January 2, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) "After a careful of all of the evidence presented at trial, including the stipulations and the testimony presented today, I cannot say the city sustained its burden." The state alleged Mixon pulled a gun following a road rage incident and told a woman that he should shoot her in the face. Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) looks for room during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. (Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports) However, Bender said Cincinnati prosecutors had not produced sufficient evidence to prove the aggravated menacing charge. The incident allegedly happened in late January, shortly before the Bengals were set to play the Buffalo Bills in a playoff game. Mixon's attorney argued that the woman involved in the alleged traffic dispute had not been under the impression that the Bengals running back would cause her serious harm. Under Ohio law, an individual must believe they are at risk for serious harm in order to claim an act of aggravated menacing occurred. Mixon did not make any statements after the verdict was announced, but the Bengals released a statement saying the team was happy to see the matter had been resolved. Joe Mixon, #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals, walks off of the field against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images) "The organization is pleased that this matter is now behind everyone," the Bengals said in a statement, "and we look forward to an exciting season with Joe being an important part of the football team." Mixon has spent his entire NFL career with the Bengals. He appeared in 14 games during the 2022 campaign and finished the season with 814 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns. A concussion sidelined him for two games last season. Mixon had arguably his best season in 2021, rushing for a career-best 1,205 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/bengals-joe-mixon-found-not-guilty-aggravated-menacing-charge?src=rss

by SportsGrid 3 hours ago The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the NFL‘s most talented offenses, and some players can be difference-makers for the team in 2023. Headlined by Joe Burrow, the Bengals are forecasted to have one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses again this year. Besides highlighting the key cogs like Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase, we’re looking toward players who have the potential to be impactful but haven’t hit their ceilings yet. Below, we’ll highlight three players on the Bengals’ offense that can stand out in 2023. Chase Brown, RB You might be a bit surprised at who we’re touting to make an impact for the Bengals in 2023 to lead off the group. Running back Chase Brown is labeled as the second or third string on most depth charts, but he’s someone we’re keeping a close eye on. Yes, Joe Mixon is the starter, and Chris Evans should have a role, but Brown has the explosiveness that’s really been lacking from the running back position in Cincinnati. Mixon has managed to be productive, but explosiveness and production aren’t always the same. There are some question marks about how much the Bengals really like Mixon. Although he will get the bulk of the work to start, we foresee a real world where Brown receives an uptick in touches, especially if Mixon continues to be as inefficient as last season. Jonah Williams, OT When you look at the Bengals, one thing is clear, protecting Joe Burrow is of the utmost importance. The Bengals have their franchise quarterback and will be a Super Bowl contender as long as he’s their signal-caller. Still, Burrow has been taken advantage of in the pocket and is often left scrambling because of a lackluster offensive line. One player we believe has the tool kit to break out in 2023 is offensive tackle, Jonah Williams. Williams was a high draft pick for the Bengals in 2019 and has yet to reach his ceiling fully. He’s struggled to work out as a pass-blocker, but Williams can now shift to right tackle with the team signing Orlando Brown Jr. This should lessen the load for Williams, and it’s much more likely you will see him continue growing in this role, and being productive. Irv Smith Jr., TE Tight ends have rarely played a significant role in the Bengals’ offense of late, but after the club acquired Irv Smith Jr. in the offseason, we believe that may change in 2023. With a wide receiver core already loaded with difference-makers, we’re looking toward Smith Jr. having some solid production in the red zone. Even with Burrow not targeting his tight ends at a high clip, having a target like Smith Jr., that can produce over the middle of the field and be a safety blanket will undoubtedly help him. We’re not claiming that he will light the world on fire in Cincinnati and live up to his former lofty draft status, but we believe a big year is on the horizon for Smith Jr. https://nesn.com/bets/2023/08/3-cincinnati-bengals-to-watch-for-on-offense/?src=rss

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer Thu, Aug 17, 2023, 9:41 AM CDT·6 min read Defensive tackle Domenique Davis’ football career should have ended in July 2020. Right before the start of training camp, the New York Jets cut him and told him to stop trying to play through a significant injury that eventually took Davis two years to recover from. Undrafted free agents from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke aren’t supposed to make it in the NFL. Players who are out of football for two entire years aren’t supposed to make it either, and Davis was sidelined for two long stretches at different points of his career. And yet here Davis is at Cincinnati Bengals training camp, making a real push for the 53rd spot on the roster. “Domenique Davis, oh man, that’s my guy,” Bengals defensive tackle BJ Hill said. “He’s showing his talent every day. I think he’s going to be good for us.” “Davis has come out of nowhere,” defensive end Sam Hubbard said. “But I know the preparation and work he put in this offseason.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis is making a bid for a roster spot in training camp this year. Davis is a 6-foot-2, 326-pound, 27-year-old run-stuffing nose tackle. While Davis had four pressures in the game and set up Bengals safety Tycen Anderson’s pick-six against the Green Bay Packers with his pass rush up the middle, his biggest strength is his ability to hold his ground at the line of scrimmage and stop the run. From 'late bloomer' to missing years of football There’s not a player in Bengals’ training camp who was more overlooked than Davis. “I was a late bloomer,” Davis said. “I went from 5-foot-9, 205 pounds to 6-3, 250. “I was focused on things I shouldn’t have been. I was getting into trouble. Then in high school, my mom told me I needed to find something to do.” Davis didn’t get much playing time at Scotland High School in North Carolina until his junior year. Then, he became a two-time all-conference player for a team that appeared in the state championship game. “I didn’t have good grades,” Davis said. “I didn’t know if I was going to go to college. I had bigger schools looking at me, but I didn't have the grades.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis has impressed his teammates during training camp with his versatile game. In 2014, Davis went to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and redshirted the season. Then he transferred to Pembroke, where he found out he was ineligible for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He didn’t play a single down of live football between when his high school career ended in 2013 and 2017. “The toughest part was staying motivated,” Davis said. “I knew I wanted to make it to the NFL and take care of my family. I was literally on my own.” Davis' football journey reaches the NFL Davis was a role player at Pembroke in 2017, he found his stride in 2018 and he really caught scouts’ attention as a sixth-year senior in 2019. According to the Laurinburg Exchange, Pembroke has only had four players in the school’s history even get a tryout for an NFL team, and none of those players appeared in an NFL game. Davis played well enough in the Mountain East Conference that NFL teams were scouting him as an undrafted free agent. Davis signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in May of 2020. Then before the start of training camp, Davis failed his physical, and got waived. “I had a broken bone in my foot, and I was still trying to play on it,” Davis said. “It was rough. I took that year off. I trained at Pembroke in their facility. I told my agent I was healthy. I was talking to teams, but they were scared to pull the trigger on me. I didn’t have any recent film. I was already a small school prospect.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis was one of the most impactful players on the Bengals' defense during the preseason opener. After spending the entire 2020 football season rehabbing on his own, Davis and his agent tried to find him a shot for a rookie minicamp in 2021. No one was interested in a nose tackle from a small college who hadn’t played in a game in nearly two years. Davis never gave up on NFL dream Davis had his chance to give up, but he didn’t even get another full-time job. He kept his focus on his football career. His priorities were training and taking care of his son. He knew that a football career was the best way for him to take care of his family in the longrun, so he kept going. Finally, he got a call back from a team: The Houston Gamblers of the USFL. “The rest is history,” Davis said. Davis spent the 2022 spring season in the USFL, recording 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Gamblers coach Ty Warren, a long-time starter for the New England Patriots, changed Davis’ career with what he taught him. “He saw something in me,” Davis said. “He helped me develop real skills. He saw I was raw. He helped me mentally, with film and with everything on the field. You always have to perfect your craft because someone is always working harder than you. He gave me that boost to go hard every day.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis' career picked up momentum after a stint in the USFL. After Davis played well in the USFL, Davis said a lot of teams started returning his agent’s call. He had multiple offers for training camp in 2022, and Davis’ agent told him that the Bengals didn’t have as much depth at defensive tackle as some other teams that were interested in him. Davis had a solid 2022 training camp for a nose tackle who was just trying to break into the NFL, but he was also exhausted jumping back into football right after the USFL season ended. Davis showed the Bengals enough to earn a spot on their practice squad, and he appeared in two games last season while DJ Reader was injured. Now, Davis is playing the best football of his career, and he’s competing with Jay Tufele to be the Bengals’ fifth defensive tackle this season. Even if Davis doesn’t make the team, he looks like he’s on track for a spot on the Bengals’ practice squad again in 2023. Finally, he’s getting the chance to play football and figure out how good of a player he can be. “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life,” Davis said. “When the time comes, and you’ve been preparing for it non-stop, it isn’t a big adjustment. I’m 27, so I’m already supposed to be here. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. I’m not that young anymore. I’ve got to put more work in so I can keep being on this field. In my head, I’m late. I’ve just got to keep going.” https://sports.yahoo.com/domenique-davis-showed-nowhere-bid-144130427.html?src=rss

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff Writer Aug 16, 2023, 06:00 AM ET CINCINNATI -- Getting settled quickly in their new surroundings can make the transition to the NFL easier for rookies. For Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, that meant finding an apartment. Then came the process of adding furniture, which included a bed with custom settings to make falling asleep a little easier. Brown said he also bought a car to take him from his apartment to the team’s facility in downtown Cincinnati. Having those things figured out has allowed him to focus on the more difficult parts of being a rookie -- finding a place on their new team. But for Brown, the urgency is increased. Cincinnati enters 2023 with a void at back-up running back behind starter Joe Mixon. Brown and veterans Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans are all in contention to take the snaps vacated by last year's No. 2 Samaje Perine, who signed with the Denver Broncos during free agency. The Bengals could also be looking for a new starter in 2024, depending on what happens with Mixon next offseason. This year will give the Bengals an extended look at what Brown offers this season and beyond. Brown wanted to get his living and transportation needs met so he could get acclimated as quickly as possible. “That's why I have so much time to just focus on the playbook and not spending time worrying about where I'm gonna sign a lease or how I'm gonna get to practice in the morning,” Brown said. “So that, that's really settling for me.” Cincinnati drafted the former Illinois standout in the fifth round of April’s draft. It was the first time the Bengals selected a running back that early since acquiring Mark Walton in the fourth round in 2018. Brown brings a bevy of production with him to the NFL. In 2022, the fifth-year senior was second among all Power 5 running backs with 1,643 rushing yards. He could boost a Bengals ground attack that was beset by missed opportunities last season. Despite facing defensive schemes geared to limit the passing game, Cincinnati ranked 30th in percentage of carries that went for 10 or more yards. Brown was prolific running the ball in college. But he will need to be an asset in the pass game for Cincinnati as well. Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack, who also holds the title as the team’s run-game coordinator, said Brown is explosive and has good vision. While there are some nuances that Brown must learn, such as the timing of exchanges and how quickly to attack in a run-pass option, Pollack praised the rookie. “It's been impressive. From a run-game perspective, that jumps out at me,” Pollack said. “He's a talented back. I'm excited to see that guy continue to do this through training camp.” Brown is a unique addition given the current state of the franchise. When Mixon was drafted in 2017, the Bengals were in the twilight of coach Marvin Lewis’ tenure and Andy Dalton’s run at quarterback. When Cincinnati hired Zac Taylor to replace Lewis in 2019 and drafted Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in 2020, nearly every aspect of the franchise was transformed. From an offensive perspective, it meant that the Bengals were going to be built around Burrow and the passing attack, which was communicated during Brown’s pre-draft meetings with Cincinnati. “They talk about how this is a pass-first offense,” Brown said. “Running the ball is secondary.” That also means pass protection is primary for all of Cincinnati’s running backs. Perine was the team’s designated third-down back the past two seasons, mainly because of his reliability in pass protection. Brown, Evans and Williams are all vying for those snaps in 2023. And Brown has plenty of experience being on the field on third down. Among all running backs at the Power 5 level in 2022, Brown had the fifth-highest number of third-down snaps, according to ESPN Stats & Information. And even though Brown racked up a ton of yards, he spent his time in the film room on another aspect. “I spent way more time on pressures than anything else,” Brown said. “I think that's why I'm successful with it in college.” Getting a lengthy evaluation of the running backs in the preseason will be tricky. After the team’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, Taylor lamented the limited opportunities in the 36-19 loss. But Taylor did point out that Brown did well as a receiver, highlighting a 21-yard completion off a checkdown. He also converted two third-and-1 opportunities. “We expect those guys to be able to get us enough, and he stepped up and did that,” Taylor said of the conversions. If Brown develops into a reliable option for the Bengals in rushing and passing situations, it could position him as a viable starter for the future. But for now, Brown is just working on getting the little things squared away as he settles into his new digs in Cincinnati. “However they want to use me, however they see me contributing,” Brown said, “I’m going to take every opportunity that I can and make the most of it.” https://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/34549/rookie-chase-brown-jumping-at-opportunity-to-be-bengals-backup-rb

Chris Roling Tue, Aug 15, 2023, 10:15 PM CDT·1 min read It’s becoming a poorly-kept secret that Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Myles Murphy is off to a slow start as a rookie. Murphy has been a quiet presence during training camp so far, then went out and recorded just two tackles and a quarterback hit in his preseason NFL debut. Normally a slow start wouldn’t be a big ordeal — a rookie pass-rusher could still get involved in a rotation and keep developing during the regular season. But it’s not so simple on a stacked Bengals roster. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic noted, the situation with Muprhy continues to be “less than enthusiastic.” As of now, Murphy isn’t running in the top eight defensive linemen on the Bengals, with Cam Sample the primary rotational guy behind bigger names like Sam Hubbard, Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai. That would likely mean Murphy doesn’t get on the active roster for a game, or if he is active, he won’t get on the field to get in the rotation. This isn’t the end of the world for Murphy. He didn’t join a bad team that needed immediate help — quite the opposite. But he’ll have to prove quickly that should something happen to the guys in front of him, he’ll be ready to make an impact. https://sports.yahoo.com/myles-murphy-slow-start-bengals-031505806.html?src=rss

Updated Aug. 15, 2023 11:59 a.m. ET Martin Rogers FOX Sports Insider Spare a thought for the most scrutinized muscle group in the National Football League — Joe Burrow's right calf. The poor old calf, a section of the athletic anatomy no one talks about until something goes wrong. In Burrow's case, it is now forced to carry the burden of all those Cincinnati Bengals hopes and dreams. On July 27, Burrow pulled up lame while undertaking a scrambling drill during training camp and was carted from the field. Such a sight is akin to a horror movie for supporters, whatever the injury might turn out to be. This one was particularly worrisome, coming just when Justin Herbert had signed his mega-money deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, making it seem like Burrow was next in line to get inked in the great modern quarterback cashapalooza. The Bengals were swift to dismiss any kind of worst-case scenario, but haven't said a whole lot more, which has had the effect of turning a scary film into a different kind of cinematic production: a mystery. Head coach Zac Taylor has his script and he is sticking to it, describing Burrow's recovery time as "several weeks." But does several weeks mean several weeks from late July, or several weeks from the time Taylor is saying and repeating it, or several weeks of the actual regular season? And how many is "several," anyway? "Several weeks," Taylor told reporters with complete accuracy and zero helpfulness last Friday, "Is several weeks." Burrow's health is the Bengals' business and Burrow's. But whenever a team keeps things so coy, it sends the speculation and rumor mill into overdrive — and even more so when it involves such a high-profile and pivotal player as Burrow. A few scattered bits of insight have framed the narrative on Burrow's injury. Let's begin with the most recent, which was last Friday, in the buildup to the Bengals' preseason tilt against the Green Bay Packers. Before the game at Paycor Stadium, there was Burrow, on the field, taking part in a throwing session of reasonable length. Obviously, he could have done it anywhere. He could have thrown extra at practice, he could have flung around the pigskin away from prying eyes, he could have done it at home, or … wherever. But he chose to do it in public, knowing full well how it would be seen and shared and commented upon. The message seemed to be very clear; that there is no sense of disaster, that things are moving forward smoothly. A kind of "hey, look at this, there's nothing to see here." But football fans like to deal in definitives. They are also aware of the smoke and mirrors that teams use to fool each other and obscure reality. Was the Burrow pre-game show all part of the plan? Was it meant to reassure fans? Was it to fool early-season opponents into planning for one thing while another will actually take place? Who knows? Taylor wasn't saying. Asked whether the sight was a sign of progress, the coach said: "No. I think things are good, and he's progressing as he should." Wait a minute; yes, it was progress — or "no," it wasn't? The Bengals are well aware that perhaps no player in the entire league is more closely linked with his team's likelihood of success than Burrow with Cincinnati. The fourth-year QB is at a fascinating juncture of his career, with the possibility of securing the biggest contract ever to overtake Herbert, or perhaps, as he has indicated, showing some contractual flexibility that increases the team's chances of landing a Super Bowl in that time frame. The most generous and team-friendly concession he can make is not necessarily by cutting back on his payday — Herbert got $52.5 million annually, Lamar Jackson $52 million and Jalen Hurts $51 million — but by replicating Patrick Mahomes and signing for a high number of years. Burrow is a long-term investment, which is also why there won't be, and shouldn't be, any chances taken with his health for the sale of a little extra action at the beginning of a long campaign. Receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who had a hip issue last year, was positively insistent on that part of it. "I just want him to be 100 percent healthy to play," Chase told reporters. "I don't want him rushing nothing, I don't want people in his ear telling him to play at a certain time. I just want him to be healthy." Once Burrow does return, missing part of the preseason isn't regarded as a concern. He was busy early in the summer and Taylor liked what he saw. "Joe got more days this July than he has ever had in the NFL," Taylor said. "So I feel really good about the progress we made during those July practices. When he is able to get back, we'll be able to get in the work that we need." Until then, the mystery continues — not the most spellbinding of tales because the Bengals are trying to defuse the chat where possible. But it's one of the most important plotlines as we head towards the season, because that's the level where Cincinnati and their QB are now at. Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports and the author of the FOX Sports Insider newsletter. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bengals-have-been-vague-about-joe-burrows-calf-but-theres-no-reason-for-concern-yet

Aug 14, 2023, 07:00 AM ET Today's NFL quarterbacks are asked to do so much every Sunday, and the best ones are often elite in multiple traits. Reading the field and finding weaknesses in the defense. Airing out deep shots for huge gains. Making precision passes on the move outside the pocket. Driving their teams downfield when the game is on the line. Picking up first downs on the ground when plays break down. But how do the top signal-callers in the league compare in each skill area? How do the NFL's best of the best stack up by specific traits and abilities? For a third straight year, we asked ESPN's NFL analysts -- Matt Bowen, Tim Hasselbeck, Matt Miller, Dan Orlovsky, Jason Reid, Jordan Reid, Mike Tannenbaum, Seth Walder and Field Yates -- to rank their personal top 10 NFL quarterbacks entering the 2023 season in 10 distinct categories, from arm strength to pocket presence. We combined those lists with a points-based system to generate final rankings in each area, all 10 of which are below. Our analysts then reacted to each list, explaining why the quarterbacks at or near the top of each group belong there and discussing what surprised them most about the final top-10s. We also gave a big stat to know, spun it forward with a young rising QB to watch for each trait and pointed out snubs who probably should have cracked each ranking. Let's start with the best downfield throwers in the league, but you can jump to each category to see how the top quarterbacks rank in the other nine skills. Arm strength This category is all about the biggest arms in the NFL. Pass velocity and the amount of zip a QB can put on a throw were factors in the ranking, as was the ability to hit the deep ball. Who are the best quarterbacks throwing the ball vertically and driving it into tight windows with authority? Here's how we voted ... 1. Josh Allen, Bills 2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 3. Justin Herbert, Chargers 4. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 5. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars 6. Anthony Richardson, Colts 7. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 8. Matthew Stafford, Rams 9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens 10. Kyler Murray, Cardinals Best of the best: Allen's arm strength became a big talking point after his pro day back in 2018, and he certainly has the power and velocity to air it out. But what makes that arm strength even more impressive is how he pairs it with exceptional accuracy down the field. No offense likes to find itself playing behind the sticks, but Allen's powerful right arm leaves a defense feeling vulnerable on any down, including third-and-long situations. -- Yates Biggest surprise: I'm a little surprised Russell Wilson didn't crack the top 10. Even after a down season, he still has an absolute cannon to hit the deep balls. His 30 completions thrown at least 20 yards downfield last season tied with Allen for No. 1 in the NFL. Strength-wise, his arm is still very much top-10-caliber, and I'm expecting to see deep shots in Denver's game plan more often this year. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: There were only six passes that averaged 50 mph while the ball was in the air last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats -- and three of them were thrown by Herbert. (All three went incomplete, but just being able to throw that hard is impressive.) -- Walder Riser to watch: Justin Fields generates a lot of velocity behind his throws and can fit them into tight windows, and his downfield accuracy could increase significantly this season with improved personnel around him. With a few deep-ball completions to DJ Moore in his third pro season, he could be on this list by next summer. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: Leaving Derek Carr out of the top 10 is extremely questionable. He's a high RPM thrower who can attack all three levels of the field thanks to his arm strength, and the ball still explodes out of his hand. I'm also surprised Fields or Geno Smith weren't on here -- they both have a case. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson, Justin Fields, Will Levis, Russell Wilson, Trey Lance, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Tua Tagovailoa Accuracy Arm strength doesn't mean much if you can't place the ball where it needs to go. Who can hit the tightest windows? Who locates their passes in the perfect spots? And who is never off target with their throws, displaying pinpoint precision? 1. Joe Burrow, Bengals 2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 4. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-5. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Geno Smith, Seahawks 7. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 8. Matthew Stafford, Rams 9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 10. Jalen Hurts, Eagles Best of the best: Speak with NFL defensive coaches about Burrow, and the first thing they mention is his ball placement. What jumps off the game tape, they say, is that Burrow not only invariably places the ball in good windows for receivers to attempt to make a play on it, but he also has a knack of delivering passes with ideal touch on every throw in the route tree. That combination regularly leaves defenses frustrated. And Rodgers -- entering his 19th season -- is No. 2 behind Burrow because, more often than not, he still puts receivers in a great position to succeed. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: I'm pretty shocked that Josh Allen isn't on this list. You don't throw the ball with success as much as he does without accuracy. I would have guessed there would be more appreciation for how hard it is to be an accurate passer -- which he is at this stage of his career -- when you run the ball as much as he does (100-plus carries in four straight seasons). He now has three straight seasons with 35 or more TD throws, and he was only off target on 14.7% of his throws in 2022. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Over the past two seasons, only two quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts have recorded a completion percentage over expectation (CPOE) of plus-3% or higher, per NFL Next Gen Stats. One is Burrow (plus-4.1%), who ranked No. 1 on our list. The other? Fifth-ranked Smith, all the way up at plus-4.8%. -- Walder Riser to watch: Combine the talent of Lawrence as a thrower and another year of coaching from quarterback guru Doug Pederson, and it's natural to think T-Law is in for a huge step up in his development in 2023. We saw glimpses last year, as Lawrence led the Jaguars to the divisional round of the playoffs while completing 66.3% of his passes for 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. With a better supporting cast and more experience, he should soon be recognized as one of the league's most accurate throwers. -- Miller Snubbed: The biggest snub was Lawrence. He was greatly improved last year, going from a 59.6% completion percentage as a rookie to 66.3% in his second year. With Calvin Ridley reemerging after his suspension and Evan Engram signed to a long-term contract, Lawrence and this entire Jacksonville passing offense should take a major stride forward in 2023. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Derek Carr Touch It's not only about pass velocity or placement. How the ball gets there is also key. Successful quarterbacks need to master trajectory, whether it's fitting the ball in a tight spot with zip or softly dropping it in over a receiver's shoulder. They also need to throw with anticipation, leading a receiver into the catch and navigating defensive coverages. 1. Joe Burrow, Bengals 2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 4. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-5. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars T-8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys T-8. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 10. Jared Goff, Lions Best of the best: There are ways to generally quantify touch, as Burrow's career completion percentage of 68.2% tells part of the story. But touch is about more than that, as Burrow has an uncanny ability to blend accuracy, velocity, trajectory and feel that leads to making throws into tight windows look far easier than they actually are to complete. -- Yates Biggest surprise: Geno Smith should be in the top 10. I've made the case that no quarterback in the NFL threw more perfect passes last season than Smith, and many of those throws were downfield with perfect trajectory and pace on the football. He actually belongs in the top eight here. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: Over the past two seasons, Rodgers leads quarterbacks in CPOE when targeting corner routes (plus-13%), and that's a pass that often requires excellent touch. -- Walder Riser to watch: He's only a redshirt sophomore and hasn't been drafted yet, but North Carolina's Drake Maye is someone to watch in this category in the future. He has an especially great feel for deep throws to targets along the sideline, and it helped him hit 63 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards last season, the fifth-best mark in the country. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: I was shocked to see Matthew Stafford missing here. Yes, he can throw absolute lasers, but let's not forgot about his ability to deliver the ball with both touch and pace. It allows Stafford to layer throws over the second level of the defense or drop the ball into a bucket downfield. Other notable omissions that stood out were Josh Allen and Russell Wilson. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, Geno Smith, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Lamar Jackson Mechanics In today's NFL, quarterbacks have so many different throwing motions. But mechanics are still a big part of success. That includes a QB's throwing motion, arm slot, release, follow-through and footwork, among other traits. Who are the most technically sound signal-callers in the league? 1. Joe Burrow, Bengals 2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 4. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys T-5. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars T-7. Josh Allen, Bills T-7. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 9. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-10. Matthew Stafford, Rams T-10. Jared Goff, Lions Best of the best: Burrow's completion percentages in each of his first three NFL seasons speak for themselves: 65.3%, 70.4% and 68.3%. But the foundation of those sparkling numbers is Burrow's nearly flawless mechanics. His footwork on drops, his arm angles on throws, his throwing delivery -- Burrow is a model of efficiency at all of it. And although Rodgers comes in at No. 2 on the list, he might be the greatest of all time in this area and remains masterful. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: It sure seems like we have come a long way with what is considered sound mechanics. The top four QBs on this list all have an ability to change arm angles and find ways to get the ball out quickly. And with this new appreciation for different ways to be "sound" throwing the football, it's hard to shake guys like Lawrence, Cousins and Tagovailoa off the list. -- Hasselbeck Riser to watch: We've heard a lot about the work ethic of Jalen Hurts, and that has helped him rework his mechanics since his Alabama days. He now has a looser throwing motion, crisper footwork and less wasted motion in his delivery. NFL analysts will soon be calling Hurts' mechanics some of the finest in football. -- Miller Snubbed: To echo Matt Miller, Hurts is probably already the biggest snub here. We saw some real improvement from him all of last season, but I think his flawless mechanics stood out most in the Super Bowl, when he completed 71.1% of his passes. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Jalen Hurts, Geno Smith, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson, Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray Field vision Here we're looking at the ability to read the field. Included in that are awareness and recognition when it comes to seeing defensive schemes or coverages, along with the fast eyes to identify blitzers, breaking defensive backs and open targets. Will a QB audible out when he needs to, diagnosing and understanding different defensive looks? And how quickly can he get through his progressions? Does he get stuck on his first read too often and stare down receivers, making it easy for the defense? Or can he scan the field, make the defense bite with his eyes and then find the open receiver? 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Joe Burrow, Bengals 3. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Josh Allen, Bills 5. Justin Herbert, Chargers 6. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars 8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins 9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 10. Matthew Stafford, Rams Best of the best: There are so many things that make defending Mahomes a near-impossible task, but near the top of the list is that no play is ever over. That's because Mahomes seemingly has a 360-degree view of every play, tracking both what is taking place right around him and what is happening down the field. His instincts and vision -- combined with his ability to elude pressure -- form a dangerous skill set. -- Yates Biggest surprise: Kirk Cousins should be in the top 10. The Minnesota offense asks a lot of him when it comes to seeing the field and reading it out, often with multiple layers of progressions. He does it at a very high level. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: Over the past three seasons, Mahomes has recorded the lowest rate of tight-window throws (10%), and his targets have had the most separation on average (3.8), per NFL Next Gen Stats. I often caution against using those metrics without further context, but I will say I think those numbers have a lot more to do with Mahomes and the Chiefs' scheme than the team's receivers. Since those stats are generated only on targets, it shows Mahomes is throwing to receivers who have separated, a credit to his ability to read the field. -- Walder Riser to watch: Lawrence took a huge leap during his second season under coach Doug Pederson, but he could make an even bigger one this year. He looked more poised and in control in 2022, and with 20 of his 25 touchdown passes coming against man coverage, Lawrence thrived when teams attempted to play his receivers with one-on-one looks. If we see a jump in production against zone coverage, he will likely be in the top five of this category next summer. I'll also quickly mention USC's Caleb Williams; the potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft has an innate feel for the entire field. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: Jared Goff sees it fast on both play-action and drop-back concepts, and he can hit defined windows or take the throws that are available. And in Detroit's heavily schemed pass game, he can set his throwing window to quickly deliver the ball. I'd also like to see Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr on this list. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Ryan Tannehill, Jared Goff, Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones Decision-making with the football This one is pretty straightforward. Avoiding turnovers, protecting the football, not taking unnecessary risks and keeping an offense out of harm's way lead to better efficiency. Forcing a pass into double-coverage or attempting too many low-percentage plays can get you into trouble in a hurry. Strong decision-making means fewer opportunities for the other team -- and likely more points for yours. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Joe Burrow, Bengals 3. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 5. Justin Herbert, Chargers 6. Jared Goff, Lions 7. Geno Smith, Seahawks 8. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 9. Josh Allen, Bills 10. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins Best of the best: It's easy to focus on the fact that Mahomes dazzles with no-look and behind-the-back passes, but most importantly, he keeps the Chiefs moving down the field by taking care of the football. As defenses adjusted after Mahomes' spectacular start to his career, regularly playing deep coverages designed to prevent his signature big plays, he, too, changed his approach. Instead of forcing balls into double coverage, which often results in turnovers, Mahomes became a tactician on short- and medium-range passes. And obviously, the results have been spectacular for the Chiefs. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: I am really surprised Rodgers wasn't at the top of this list. Sure, 2022 was an ugly season for him, but we know he was dealing with a thumb injury. His track record of being aggressive with the football but also not turning it over is second to none. Before throwing 12 interceptions last year, he went four straight years with five or fewer and hadn't been in the double digits since 2010. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Trevor Lawrence didn't crack our collective top 10, but the Jaguars passer had a 1.3% interception rate (sixth best) and 4.3% sack rate (fourth best) last season, all while playing behind an offensive line that ranked 31st in pass block win rate. -- Walder Riser to watch: In two seasons as Ohio State's starter, C.J. Stroud had 85 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions. He established himself as an elite decision-maker, and not just in limiting turnovers. He always knows where to go with the football, how to attack a defense and how to set his playmakers up for success. That'll carry over to the pros as soon as he acclimates to the speed of the NFL game with the Texans. -- Miller Snubbed: Daniel Jones! No quarterback improved more in this area in 2022 than Jones, who had only five interceptions and six fumbles last season under the guidance of coach Brian Daboll. With pass-catcher Darren Waller added to the mix in New York, I expect a similar season out of Jones in 2023. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Trevor Lawrence, Matthew Stafford, Daniel Jones, Derek Carr, Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson Compete level and toughness Who has the most desire to win? Toughness rolls into it, and our analysts looked at each quarterback's bounce-back ability and resilience here, along with how well they can take a hit. Physicality is a big trait in this section, too. Compete level also speaks to a quarterback's command of his offense, leadership qualities and ability to deliver in the clutch. Simply put, you can never count out the players who made this top 10. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Josh Allen, Bills 3. Joe Burrow, Bengals 4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 5. Justin Herbert, Chargers 6. Matthew Stafford, Rams 7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 8. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 9. Justin Fields, Bears T-10. Lamar Jackson, Ravens T-10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars Best of the best: There are intangible traits that you just know when you see them. The Chiefs have found themselves in precarious situations often -- even in the playoffs -- and perpetually overcome them. A double-digit lead is far from safe against Kansas City, and that starts with Mahomes' unflappable nature. He believes his team will always win, and more often than not, he's very right. -- Yates Biggest surprise: I would probably have Hurts even higher when it comes to toughness. Cracking the top three is tough given the names occupying those spots, but it's also pretty hard to envision a guy who might be the best leader in football not appearing in that elite group at the top of the list. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: Fields was contacted on 42% of action plays last season, by far the highest among quarterbacks in the league. Consider that Marcus Mariota ranked second ... at 32%. -- Walder Riser to watch: Kenny Pickett could rise quickly in this category. He isn't afraid to take off and use his legs, and he has already displayed a high level of toughness and grit. Pickett had back-to-back fourth-quarter comebacks in Weeks 16 and 17 for the Stealers last season, making him the first rookie passer in NFL history to accomplish that in consecutive games. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: Ryan Tannehill displays a physical element at the position. He's competitive and tough -- both as a ball carrier and pocket thrower -- and I'm really surprised he didn't get more votes. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Tua Tagovailoa, Russell Wilson, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones Pocket presence Pocket presence refers to how a quarterback operates in the pocket. Some things our analysts looked at here include: ability to sense and avoid pressure; command and mobility within the pocket; calmness under duress; and how a QB gets it done from both under center and shotgun formations. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs T-2. Joe Burrow, Bengals T-2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Justin Herbert, Chargers 5. Josh Allen, Bills 6. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars T-9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens Best of the best: Mahomes is at No. 1 yet again. He has total command of the pocket and displays an uncanny ability to sense edge rushers closing from his blind side. Mahomes climbs the pocket deftly, spins to open areas smoothly or extends plays when necessary. His knack for eluding the rush while remaining in the pocket infuriates defensive players. While Burrow and Rodgers don't quite match Mahomes' moves in the pocket, they are darn good in this spot, too. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: I didn't think Hurts would end up this high on the list. The subtle pocket movement that we witnessed Tom Brady do so well shows up with guys like Burrow, Rodgers and Mahomes, but it's harder to find in many quarterbacks. I wasn't expecting to see Hurts at No. 6. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Mahomes had a 0.11 sack-to-pressure ratio last season, best in the NFL (Herbert was second at 0.15). And it was no fluke. Mahomes has led the NFL in that category in three of the past five years, and he finished second in the other two. -- Walder Riser to watch: Let's go back to September 2022, when Alabama was trailing Texas by two points with 27 seconds left. That's when Bryce Young made a play that sums up his high-level pocket presence. A Texas cornerback executed a perfectly timed blitz and made contact with Young in the backfield, but he shrugged off the would-be tackler, broke the pocket while keeping his eyes scanning the field and eventually ran for a first down in a game-changing play that led to an Alabama victory. That's what the Panthers' No. 1 overall pick is bringing to the pros and why he already received votes here before even strapping on pads in an NFL game. -- Miller Snubbed: Matthew Stafford's movement traits and instincts in the pocket have allowed him to play at a high level for a long time, so I would have expected him to make the top 10. But Brock Purdy is a close second for me as the biggest snub. He showed tremendous poise and instincts in the pocket as a rookie, and his 48 games of experience at Iowa State showed up in his play last season with the Niners. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Bryce Young, Justin Fields, Geno Smith, Deshaun Watson, Ryan Tannehill, Derek Carr, Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray Rushing ability Many modern NFL quarterbacks have the ability to contribute in the run game, and offensive coordinators are not only looking to their QBs for designed runs and option reads more often but also unscripted scramble runs. So whose speed, instincts, vision, elusiveness and physicality as a runner are the most impressive? 1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens 2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 3. Justin Fields, Bears 4. Josh Allen, Bills 5. Kyler Murray, Cardinals 6. Anthony Richardson, Colts 7. Daniel Jones, Giants 8. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 9. Justin Herbert, Chargers 10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars Best of the best: The conversation surrounding Jackson's rushing should not be centered around whether he's the best in the NFL today -- it should be about whether he is the best rushing quarterback to ever play the game. I'd argue yes, as his combination of speed and agility completely changes the equation for the Ravens' offense every single play. He's unstoppable as a runner, averaging 6.1 yards per carry over five seasons and posting two campaigns with 1,000-plus yards on the ground. -- Yates Biggest surprise: I'd personally have Joe Burrow in the top 10, and I'd probably drop Herbert out. Herbert barely runs (14th in QB rushes last season at 54), whereas Burrow scrambles a ton (75 carries in 2022, seventh most). Burrow is very much like Mahomes in the sense he can situationally break your back with a timely run. I'll also be interested to see if Richardson can get into the top three by next season. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: We're combining designed runs and scrambles here, but I like to think of those as separate skills. In terms of designed runs, Hurts was the clear No. 1 in expected points added last season (48.2, almost double every other QB). But he ranked only sixth in EPA on scrambles, with Fields (45.8) and Allen (43.3) leading the way there. -- Walder Riser to watch: Young quarterbacks can rely on their mobility as they adjust to the pro game. Orlovsky mentioned Richardson, but Bryce Young is also more than capable as a runner. He won't rip off a ton of straight-ahead chunk plays, but I see some similarity to Murray in how he stretches defenses with slippery playmaking ability outside the structure of the offense. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: With an ability to produce on both designed carries and scramble attempts, Deshaun Watson has the dual-threat traits to create conflict for opposing defenses as a runner. It's the speed that stands out most, but solid ball carrier vision and open-field instincts allow Watson to produce on the ground. Ryan Tannehill, Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson all could have made the list, too. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Ryan Tannehill, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, Trey Lance, Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Sam Darnold, Sam Howell Second-reaction ability To close, we looked at a trait that leads to so many highlights throughout an NFL season. Quarterbacks won't always be able to sit in the pocket and throw darts. With pressure coming off the edge or up the middle, getting outside the pocket and making off-schedule throws on the run is important in today's game. Those are the off-platform passes from different arm angles and body positions -- often on the move -- and can be the difference between eventual points and a stalled drive. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Josh Allen, Bills 3. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens T-5. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Joe Burrow, Bengals 7. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 8. Kyler Murray, Cardinals 9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars 10. Justin Fields, Bears Best of the best: Mahomes is so far ahead of the pack in this area that he's really in a category of one. Coaches say NFL quarterbacks make their money on third down and off-schedule plays, and Mahomes is simply dominant in both areas. As great as he is in the pocket, he's even more dangerous when forced from it. He's comfortable delivering passes from myriad arm angles while on the run, keeping would-be tacklers off balance. It's the best part of his game, and that's saying something. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: Deshaun Watson was very good at creating offense with second-reaction plays in Houston. It seemed like the Texans lived in empty looks, and he was able to extend plays to find something better. But after nearly two full seasons off the field -- including an 11-game suspension -- and a disappointing return to it late last season, there seems to be a big departure from where his off-schedule playmaking was in 2020. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Herbert led the league last season in number of throws while moving at least 8 mph, per NFL Next Gen Stats, with 120. While Burrow trailed way behind in quantity (47), he made up for it with incredible efficiency, generating 0.53 EPA per play on those throws. No other QB was higher than 0.32. -- Walder Riser to watch: Rookie Anthony Richardson can quickly climb the ranks in the second-reaction category, but we have to mention USC superstar and likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft Caleb Williams. His ability to make plays happen and create from off-platform throws already has scouts comparing him to Mahomes. And Williams still has a full season of college football and almost a full year of learning under Trojans coach Lincoln Riley before he's hitting an NFL field. He should make this top 10 next year before even playing a pro game. -- Miller Snubbed: While not necessarily known for this trait, Dak Prescott does a really good job of extending plays and keeping his eye level down the field. Daniel Jones also greatly improved in this area last season, ranking sixth in QBR outside the pocket (65.6). -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Tua Tagovailoa, Derek Carr, Daniel Jones https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38151402/nfl-quarterback-council-2023-ranking-top-10-traits