CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have great expectations and a high level of uncertainty while the New England Patriots are set to enter the unknown of a new era when the teams open the 2024 season on Sunday afternoon.
In his first action since a season-ending wrist injury last November and subsequent surgery, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow played the first series of the preseason but didn’t take the field for the remainder of the exhibition schedule.
Burrow completed 5 of 7 passes for 51 yards, including a 10-yard score to Tee Higgins in a 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 10. He then got his work in through a pair of joint practices with the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. And now Burrow, who bounced back from ACL and MCL tears in his rookie season (2020), believes he’s ready to go for Week 1.
“I feel like I’m healthy. I feel like I’m physically strong and I’ll be able to go out and do what I need to do,” Burrow said. “Whenever you have those kinds of injuries, it’s a process throughout the season, just like with the knee. You’re going to have some days where you feel good and some days where you don’t, and you’re going to get better throughout the season.”
Burrow getting back to form would bode well for Cincinnati’s Super Bowl chances, which could also hinge on star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who has been dealing with an ongoing contract dispute.
Chase came back to practice on Wednesday and was limited. His return could signal a willingness to play in Sunday’s season opener, depending on his readiness after not participating at all in training camp and the preseason.
“He’s going to go out and play really well, I know that,” Burrow said of Chase. “We’ll see for Sunday. I don’t have any expectations right now what that’s going to look like. I know if he’s out there what type of player he’s going to be.”
Chase’s hold-in has centered around the demand for a contract extension similar to that of former LSU teammate and Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, who received a four-year, $140 million extension with $110 million guaranteed on June 3.
The Patriots are entering a new era, and for the first time since 1999, Bill Belichick will not be on the sideline coaching the team. After winning six Super Bowls and reaching three others, the Patriots are rebuilding with new head coach Jerod Mayo, a longtime player and assistant coach for New England.
Coming off a 4-13 season, the Patriots chose quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this year’s draft. He played for a good chunk of the preseason, but it will be veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett getting the start against the Bengals.
The key for New England under Mayo will be winning in the trenches.
“I think we have to go out there and really be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I think we need to play well on special teams as well, but it’s about the line of scrimmage,” Mayo said. “It’s about controlling the line of scrimmage and controlling the game. …
“(The Bengals) have a high-powered team. They have a high-powered offense, and I think the defense is aggressive because they know they have a high-powered offense.”
Guard Sidy Sow missed the Patriots’ practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Defensive back Jonathan Jones (hamstring) and linebacker Joshua Uche (foot) were among those limited.
–Mike Petraglia, Field Level Media