Cincinnati Bengals: Will Joe Burrow Have a Healthy Training Camp and Preseason?
On the second day of training camp last year, franchise quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a strained right calf that bothered him for weeks. The Bengals started 0-2, then Burrow suffered a season-ending injury to his throwing wrist Week 11 against the Ravens, leading to Cincinnati missing the playoffs.
Starting the season healthy has been a challenge for Burrow throughout his career. In 2021, he was recovering from tearing his ACL. In 2022, he had his appendix removed during training camp.
Burrow spent the offseason rehabbing his wrist and will begin camp cleared for contact. He's eager to prove he can lead the Bengals back to Super Bowl contention.
"If you're not out there and people aren't watching you, then there's nothing to talk about," Burrow said on the "Pardon My Take" podcast via Ben Baby of ESPN.com. "I'm going to give people something to talk about this year."
Burrow said dealing with serious injuries during his career has taught him not to rush back before he's ready. Though he wants to get through training camp healthy, Burrow knows it's more important to be healthy late in the regular season.
"I've always prided myself on my mental toughness, to be able to push through pain and push through those injuries," Burrow said at a news conference at the end of minicamp in June. "That has kind of been my growth this offseason -- taking a step back and understanding my value to the organization and the team."
Pittsburgh Steelers: How Will Russell Wilson-Justin Fields Dynamic Play Out?
Pittsburgh Steelers veterans will report on Wednesday, and there will be intense focus on quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Wilson enters camp expected to be the Week 1 starter, but Fields (25 years old) is 10 years younger than Wilson (35) and both quarterbacks are in the final year of their contracts.
The Steelers will evaluate Fields closely this year, trying to determine his potential to be their long-term solution at quarterback. Even if Fields doesn't start Week 1, he plans to push Wilson all season for the starting job.
"I'm definitely competing," Fields said in May, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN. "I think Russ knows that we're competing against each other every day. Him being out there for me, that helps me getting better, especially each other.
"I definitely don't have the mindset of me just sitting all year. I'm coming in every day giving it all I got and pushing him to be his best, and he's pushing me to be my best each and every day."
Cleveland Browns: Will the Head Coach or Offensive Coordinator Call Plays on Game Days?
The Browns hired Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during the offseason, which raises an interesting question. Will Dorsey call the plays like he did with the Buffalo Bills when he was their coordinator, or will Head Coach Kevin Stefanski remain Cleveland's play caller?
This is a crucial season for quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play during his two seasons in Cleveland. The Browns tied for 10th in the league in scoring last year, and if their offense becomes more potent, it would improve their chances of winning the division.
Stefanski is expected to announce who will be the play caller early in training camp, but he wasn't ready to do it last week.
"I'm sure I'm getting that question officially in about a week, so you're gonna have to wait a week," Stefanski said on 92.3 via Pro Football Talk.
