Overview
- Former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told the Inside Football podcast on Aug. 26 that Joe Burrow’s public insistence on urgency “triggers action” inside the organization.
- Lewis said Mike Brown “doesn’t give a (expletive) about money,” describing Brown as willing to direct team resources with a three- to four-year view of winning.
- Cincinnati reshaped its defense this offseason by signing Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook and by trading a first-round pick for Dexter Lawrence II.
- Burrow told reporters on Aug. 20 “I’m tired of saying next year, next year, next year. This is it,” and outside coaches have praised his play and pocket awareness.
- If ownership follows Lewis’s view the moves could raise expectations and shorten the timetable for results, making Burrow’s health and the defense’s ability to perform in games key to the team’s outlook.