The Cincinnati Bengals had a welcome sight on Monday: Joe Burrow throwing a football to his teammates.
The Pro Bowl quarterback worked with his receivers on Monday for the first time since a torn wrist ligament ended his 2023 season in November. The independent media was not there to witness Burrow in action. But reports on Burrow’s status from those inside the organization are glowing.
The Bengals’ social media shared a video of Burrow pitching with the caption “HE’S BACK.”
His quarterbacks coach, Brad Kragthorpe, offered an encouraging review of his performance and recovery in a statement to the team’s website.
“I think he looked as fast and athletic as I’ve ever seen him,” Kragthorpe said. “He looked like the Joe Burrow we’re used to seeing. I didn’t see any difference. I thought the ball came out of his hand well. Confident. I’m happy where he is.”
Wide receiver Andrei Iosivas was one of several Bengals teammates who also praised Burrow’s performance in a statement to the team’s website.
“You like the amount of power he has,” Iosivas said. “I feel like that’s what you’re really looking for. You like to see the speed.”
Once again, there was no media present on Monday to verify the internal evaluation. Monday’s session was closed. But there’s no reason for the Bengals to praise Burrow’s performance so much if he wasn’t delivering.
Monday’s session wasn’t the first time Burrow pitched this offseason. According to the Bengals, it marked the first day of Phase 2 of their offseason program and the first time he threw passes to his teammates. That he is making such a good impression is promising for Cincinnati’s upcoming season.
After two consecutive trips to the AFC championship that included a run to the Super Bowl following the 2021 season, Cincinnati’s 2023 season was derailed due in large part to multiple injuries to Burrow. A calf injury suffered last offseason hampered his performance in the early stages of the season.
After he seemed to have finally returned to form following that injury, the wrist injury ended his season in Week 10. The Bengals finished 9-8 in last place in the AFC North.
If Burrow really is “so back,” there is reason to be hopeful in Cincinnati that the Bengals can return to Super Bowl contention in 2024.