Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is entering his seventh season in the NFL and much has changed since he first entered the walls at Paycor Stadium.
Burrow has changed his physical appearance since April of 2020 when he was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick. His game on the field has changed and now he’s changing as a leader.
Through the first six seasons of his professional career, Burrow had been more of a quiet leader who let his play speak for itself. He’s become one of the best players in the NFL and led the Bengals to Super Bowl 56 and two consecutive AFC championship games.
But Burrow’s been left sitting on the couch in January the past three seasons when the playoffs began And he’s not willing to let it happen again.
To Burrow, this meant change was needed. While there’s not much Burrow can do to improve on the field as he’s already one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, he saw room for growth as a leader.
And this offseason he’s taking a different approach focused on more urgency.
Joe Burrow’s new approach to leadership with Bengals
“I think this offseason I really focused on trying to bring urgency to the room and try to just get everybody to understand the level of urgency that we have this year; the level of play that’s going to be required from every individual who steps on that field,” Burrow said on June 17.
Burrow has always brought an intensity to the practice fields. The difference this year has been with his communication to his teammates on the field. A team source told The Enquirer there’s been a noticeable difference in Burrow’s willingness to call players out when the attention to detail is not there. The source described it as Burrow is “not letting things slide.”
Another team source told The Enquirer Burrow has been more willing to socialize with teammates outside of Payor Stadium in recent months. Burrow alluded to this when he shared that he’s spent a lot of time with newly acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence outside of work.
He knows the talent the team has added. Burrow called this year’s roster the deepest and most talented he’s had since he joined the team in 2020. The locker room is full of new leaders like Lawrence as well as other new additions in safety Bryan Cook and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
Joe Burrow setting standard with new teammates
With so many new faces, Burrow has taken it upon himself to be one the one who brings the group together, even if it requires a different version of himself.
“If something isn’t up to a standard, then calling it out right then and there,” Burrow said. “Maybe a little louder than I have in the past. That’s a growth as a leader that maybe I keep doing it, maybe I don’t. I don’t know but certainly try it out and just try to bring a little intensity to the room.”
Burrow said overall the reaction from his teammates has been positive. He believes this team is full of the right personalities and everyone in the Bengals’ locker room understands what’s at stake for the upcoming season.
The Bengals need Burrow’s best and everyone around him to step up. Burrow has played as well as any quarterback in the NFL the past three seasons, yet it hasn’t been enough to reach the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals offseason additions on defense
Cincinnati’s front office did everything they could through the NFL draft and free agency to infuse new talent on defense. Internally, the hope is that with defensive coordinator Al Golden entering his second season leading the group the unit will be much better.
With all 11 offensive starters returning, the Bengals believe they should have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Burrow believes the Bengals have a championship-caliber team across the board now and only time will tell if Burrow’s new leadership style is the reason the team returns to contention once again.
“We’re expecting to win every game we set foot on the field,” Burrow said. “Obviously you want to win the Super Bowl. That’s certainly the plan. We’ve got to take it one day at a time. One week at a time. I’m excited for the journey.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow’s new leadership style already paying dividends | Exclusive
Reporting by Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
