Joe Burrow puts an end to a ridiculous problem that was never actually a problem in the first place
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow showed up to voluntary workouts for the first time this offseason, putting an end to a conversation that was pointless from the start.
It’s not national news when an NFL quarterback decides to participate in voluntary strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation.
Except when it’s Joe Burrow, apparently.
Joe Burrow shows up for voluntary workouts
Burrow, fresh off attending the Kentucky Derby and Met Gala, Burrow popped up at Paycor Stadium Thursday morning.
The Cincinnati Bengals are at the tail end of Phase One of the offseason workout program, and rookie minicamp will take place Friday and Saturday.
Phase Two of Cincinnati’s offseason program won’t begin until May 11. This is when Burrow and Co. can officially start performing on-field workouts such as individual drills, walkthroughs, and plays against air. The offense still won’t be able line up against the defense yet.
That feels important to note.
All the Bengals were doing over the past few weeks was running and lifting weights. That’s all they’ve been allowed to do together under NFL rules. Burrow was doing conditioning of his own, just not with the rest of his teammates.
This apparently became “not insignificant” to Bengals fans and even local media.
Why? I have no earthly idea. Go look in the replies of the team’s official post. You’ll find the same exasperations.
Overreaction about absolutely nothing
Burrow being away from the team while there are zero official on-field practices being held holds absolutely zero weight to anything. It doesn’t say anything about him as a leader, his focus level, or commitment to the franchise as a whole.
Where a player decides to condition at this time of year before very loose practices begin is completely up to the player. Burrow has been in Los Angeles for most of the offseason thus far. He’s shown up at multiple high-profile events. He’s also been training, throwing, and getting his body right for the incoming offseason activities.
Just because he hasn’t been doing that where he lives doesn’t make it a story.
There’s something to be said of the most valuable player on a team missing actual on-field work. Nothing is actually mandatory for players until mandatory minicamp arrives in June, and the only players who sit out of that are the ones trying to land contract extensions.
Burrow has never been healthy and absent for Organized Team Activities (OTAs). When the time comes to actually do quarterback things, he’s always been there. He wants to be there.
Manufactured noise when a player of his caliber is off doing celebrity things while most of the roster is lifting and running together is simply noise. When the real work begins, Burrow will be there, or else an actual conversation will need to be had.