The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase for many factors, chief among those his sheer ability and production, plus his already proven connection with quarterback Joe Burrow.
Another positive side effect of buying into that Chase-Burrow relationship is the friendship they share off the field.
And as Burrow pointed out in a recent interview with Complex’s Kameron Hay, that’s something that sets a sort of example for the rest of the locker room:
“Well, I think part of establishing that connection on the field first is establishing that connection off the field and we’re really good friends. We have a strong bond off the field and that translates onto the field. I think everybody can see that. And you’re not going to be a great team if your best players aren’t close, trust each other and work really hard. And I think as a team, all of our guys that are in that position have those traits.”
These are, after all, the guys who attempt UFC moves on each other in the locker room.
Much has been said about how Zac Taylor’s program has been a dramatic culture shift for the franchise, but Burrow’s influence on the locker room has been a big part of that.
And in a nice lead-by-example feature of the Bengals drafting Chase, the on-and-off field rapport helps set the tone for the program on a daily basis.
