Bryan Cook reacts to Joe Burrow already noticing his impact as a new leader of the Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are counting on safety Bryan Cook to be a new leader of the defense. Quarterback Joe Burrow is noting his early efforts in filling that role.
Joe Burrow is already a big fan of Bryan Cook. The Cincinnati Bengals’ first major move of the offseason was signing the 26-year old safety in free agency.
Burrow was already well aware of Cook. They faced off multiple times when the latter was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Once Cincy’s franchise quarterback saw Cook working and meshing together with his new teammates.
“[Bryan] Cook, in the limited time he’s been here, you can feel his presence early,” Burrow said earlier in the week. He doubled down on his observation during his first press conference of the offseason and gave Cook an honorable label.
“We filled some holes that we had from years past, got better at a lot of positions,” Burrow said. “Signed the best free agent safety (Bryan Cook). Got the best d-tackle [Dexter Lawrence] in the league, in my opinion. We have everything we need in that locker room. We just have to go make it happen.”
The words of praise have found Cook’s ears.
Bryan Cook sends love right back to Joe Burrow
Cook has already begun integrating himself with his new team, partaking in voluntary workouts and getting on the same page with the rest of the secondary. It’s these first steps Burrow has noticed and publicly acknowledged, which Cook was told by Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson.
“Appreciate that. That’s real love from Joe B. for real. I don’t know what to say.” Cook said to Hobson. “I’m doing the best I can learning the system and learning the plays, learning the guys and the locker room. Just be who I can be for the team and go from there.”
Bryan Cook Stats & Facts
Cincinnati’s newest starting safety brings quite a resume.
- Cook was drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Kansas City started Cook for 50 games (including three playoff games). He recorded 238 total tackles, 15 passes defensed, and three interceptions.
- Cook was born and raised in Cincinnati and played his last two years of college football at the University of Cincinnati.
Cook signed a three-year, $40.25 million contract to become Cincinnati’s much-needed answer at the safety position. The former Chiefs starter and Cincinnati Bearcats star has been tabbed to do what Dax Hill, Nick Scott, Geno Stone, and Vonn Bell couldn’t following Jessie Bates III’s departure back in 2023.
Burrow knows he can’t win anything with the Bengals without a good defense. Cincy’s defense has struggled immensely since Bates provided stability in the backend of the secondary. He seems to like what Cook is bringing to the table, long before pads can even be worn.
Cook is going through the acclimation period now, but early signs point to him being an ideal fit and leader in the locker room. The first big move from the Bengals’ offseason is off to a great start.