Most important things learned before Bengals begin training camp

Every year to kick off the upcoming season, Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown, director of personnel Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor meet with the local media to address all of the important topics surrounding the franchise.

The Bengals’ brass on Monday answered questions ranging from contract related questions for Ja’Marr Chase and Evan McPherson to important position battles and, of course, Joe Burrow’s health.

The Bengals begin training camp practice on Wednesday officially marking the start of the 2024 season. Here were some of the most noteworthy topics discussed at the Bengals’ media luncheon:

Joe Burrow fully cleared for contact

When the Bengals take the practice fields on Wednesday, Burrow will be fully cleared with no limitations, according to Taylor. This is encouraging news for the Bengals and Burrow as his health remains the No. 1 priority for the team this year, starting with a healthy training camp.

Taylor refrained from saying if Burrow would be on a pitch count when he does practice but did say they have a plan in place to monitor his workload.

“We've got plans for every veteran we've got, and so I won't dive into that today on what it's going to look like, but we've certainly got plans for all our guys,” Taylor said. “And it's more head coach being proactive, knowing that, you know, really ideally, 30 days from now, our team is ready to go. So my job is these first two weeks to make sure we're managing it to where those last two weeks we can hit the ground running.”

Burrow is recovering from a season-ending wrist surgery on his right throwing wrist. Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback underwent surgery in late November, 2023, and has been rehabbing since. During the voluntary offseason program starting in May, Taylor said he gave Burrow a scheduled rest day each week. We’ll see if Taylor and Burrow continue with that plan through training camp.

Taylor also said he anticipates playing Burrow and the rest of the starters in at least one preseason game.

“Certainly do see our starters playing at some point,” Taylor said. “How much or little will kind of be dictated through the first two weeks of practice and how I feel about that.”

Bengals eyeing contract extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Evan McPherson

The Bengals are hoping to keep Chase and McPherson in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future.

Both players are eligible for an extension as they are entering their fourth season with the Bengals. Chase’s deal will be more complicated than McPherson’s though as he is likely to become he highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL when he puts pen to paper.

McPherson’s market is set however and Brown said they’re hopeful to reach an agreement with him soon.

“I'm hopeful that we can get there with Evan,” Brown said. “He's a clutch player. He's played well for us when it matters.”

As for Chase, the negotiations have started as Brown said they’ve spoken with his representation. This deal could take some time to sort through due to the magnitude of the guaranteed money that is expected to be involved. The Bengals are hopeful to keep Chase in Cincinnati and plan to do everything they can to ensure that happens, no matter how difficult it becomes.

“There are all kinds of issues that play into this,” Brown said. “It's not easy to resolve, but our intention is to keep Ja'Marr Chase.”

Bengals ready for ‘something different’ at running back

For the first time since 2018, the Bengals will have a new starting running back. Cincinnati moved on from Joe Mixon after seven seasons with the team this offseason. To replace Mixon, the Bengals signed Zack Moss in free agency and drafted Chase Brown in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

After finishing in the bottom half of the league in rushing offense over the last few years, the Bengals needed an upgrade in the running backs room. They are hoping the duo of Moss and Chase gives them that moving forward.

“I think those two guys are excited to compete to take it over and maybe complement each other and maybe we'll have a little bit different mix than maybe what we had with Joe as our bell cow,” Tobin said. “I miss Joe (Mixon). I have a great regard for Joe. He had a great career here. But it was just time for something a little different and we’ve now got a couple of guys that I think complement each other. They have to go out and do it. They have to stay healthy. That's a big thing.”

Why didn’t a long-term deal with Tee Higgins work out?

All signs point to this being the final year Tee Higgins plays for the Bengals. Higgins will play the upcoming season on the franchise tag and likely hit the market next March and test free agency.

Here’s what Tobin had to say about why the Bengals and Higgins couldn’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal:

“It just didn't come together. I don't fault anybody on that. It's gotta work for us and it has to work for them and sometimes that collides with each other and sometimes it misses. And we accept that and he accepts that. I think his best chance for a great season is with the Cincinnati Bengals and we're happy he's gonna be here and have a great season."

No updates on Paycor Stadium, Hamilton County lease negotiations

Brown opted not to discuss anything other than football-related topics when asked twice about the state of current negotiations with Hamilton Country for a new lease to keep the Bengals playing at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals current lease ends in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Most important things learned before Bengals begin training camp