Four Takeaways From Bengals Minicamp, Including Thoughts on Joe Burrow, the O-Line and More

CINCINNATI — The Bengals finished minicamp this week. Players won't be required to return to the stadium until July 25 when they report for training camp.

The team had three mandatory practice days this week. Not only did they have perfect attendance, but they didn't have any injuries during the offseason program.

Here are four takeaways from minicamp:

Joe Burrow's Urgency

Burrow grabbed headlines this week when he said he wanted to be "the best in the world."

It's a title that belongs to Patrick Mahomes, Burrow says, at least for now.

That mindset combined with a locker room that is focused on getting past the Chiefs this season and bringing a Lombardi Trophy back to Cincinnati.

"I wouldn't necessarily say motivation, I would say maybe urgency," Burrow said this week. "We've been there, done that, now it's time to take that next step. I wouldn't say that's extra motivation, because we're motivated every game, every day, every year. I would say the sense of urgency has risen in that locker room."

Urgency is the same word Zac Taylor used to describe his team following the conclusion of minicamp on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Burrow spent a lot of the offseason program working on play-action passes and different arm-angle throws that he could deploy in games this year.

"This is the time of year where you can kind of experiment a little bit and find out what you can get away with and what you can't and what you can do and what you can't," Burrow said. "You're always tweaking and you're always getting better at different things that you can."

Rookies Impress

The Bengals' rookies certainly flashed their potential this week. Every single guy seemed to impress coaches, from top pick Myles Murphy to seventh rounder DJ Ivey.

Murphy's size and speed continues to jump off the page for Cincinnati. He's still learning, but the addition should bode well for a defensive line that has become one of the deeper units in the NFL.

DJ Turner had a few pass breakups in 7-on-7 drills this week. Jordan Battle continues to rotate in with the starting unit and appears to be on track to get snaps at safety early in the season.

Charlie Jones caught a touchdown from Trevor Siemien on Thursday and has impressed his teammates and the staff with his work ethic and route running.

Chase Brown's explosiveness is on full display daily. Punter Brad Robbins is living up to expectations and Andrei Iosivas doesn't appear to be overwhelmed by the jump from the Ivy League to the NFL.

It's been a productive offseason for the entire rookie class. It may be a longshot, but there's a scenario where all eight guys make the 53-man roster, including Ivey, who had a pick-six on Thursday in 7-on-7 and fared well throughout minicamp, despite joining a deep cornerback room.

Watch Ivey's interception here.

Right Tackle Battle

Jackson Carman continues to take first-team reps at right tackle with La'el Collins (ACL) sidelined and Jonah Williams not fully cleared after undergoing knee surgery earlier this offseason.

Despite that, Williams attended all three days of minicamp and sounded determined to not only win the starting right tackle job, but to have his best season in the NFL.

"It was never left tackle, right, tackle. I know a lot of people made it out to be that," Williams said. "The plan is to play me at right tackle. I'm fired up to do it. Let's go, I'm working my knee. I think I'm going to be cleared soon. I feel great moving around and so that that was never the issue ... I'm back now (at) mandatory minicamp. I'm going to be back day one of training camp, before day one of training camp, 100%, ready to grind, ready to roll. And ready to play where the team needs me."

Williams is the favorite to start at right tackle. He moved well throughout minicamp and should make the Bengals better in the trenches this season.

Chidobe Awuzie's Recovery

Awuzie continues to impress after undergoing knee reconstruction surgery in November.

The 28-year-old worked out without a knee brace on throughout minicamp. He ran, cut, stopped, started, planted and looked close to 100%.

"I see the same things you guys do. Chido's built different," Taylor said. "He's done a great job attacking the rehab and doing the things you need to do coming off the injury he had on Halloween. So excited to see the continued progress he's making. Don't want to make any rush to judgment on whenever he'll be back."

Awuzie is one of the best athletes on the team and it wouldn't be surprising to see him on the field for the Bengals' Week 1 matchup against the Browns in Cleveland.

Watch clips of him working out here.

For more on the Bengals, watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Watch: Chidobe Awuzie Works Out Without Brace, Despite Recovering From Torn ACL

Jonah Williams Dives Into Reason For Offseason Frustration: 'I'm Fired up' to Play Right Tackle

Joe Burrow Reveals His Main Individual Goal: 'Being the Best in the World'

Look: Bengals Release 2023 Media Day Photos

Bengals Should Consider Claiming Veteran Running Back James Robinson

Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Picks Joe Burrow as The NFL's Best Player

ESPN Ranks Bengals Roster Core Among NFL's Top Five

DJ Reader on Future With Bengals: 'Hopefully They Believe in Your Boy'