Bengals' prized undrafted free agent receives noteworthy comparison that should interest every Cincinnati fan

Joe Burrow didn't play very much football at Ohio State, but he did practice and train a bunch. Mickey Marotti got plenty of exposure to the Cincinnati Bengals' franchise quarterback as the Buckeyes' assistant athletic director for football sports performance, a title he's held for the last 13 years.  

Marotti also got a year's worth of being around Seth McLaughlin. The 2024 Rimington Trophy winner was OSU's center for 10 games last season. He's now one of the newest offensive linemen for Burrow's offense 100 miles Southwest of Columbus after signing with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent.

Two former Buckeyes cut from the same cloth, at least in Marotti's eyes.

Seth McLaughlin draws interesting Joe Burrow comparison 

The quarterback and center are involved in nearly every single play of a football game. They handle completely different roles, but being on the same page is critical. Being of a similar mind certainly doesn't hurt.

Marotti believes McLaughlin and Burrow share some similarities in this regard. 

"He just knows how to play the game. Great personality. He'll fit right into that locker room." Marotti told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. "He's got a little bit of Joe [Burrow] in him, now. Their humor is very similar. Little dry humor."

Anytime you get compared to Burrow in any way, shape, or form, people are going to take notice in Cincinnati. 

McLaughlin was already a name to know for the Bengals this offseason. He was projected to be drafted despite suffering a torn Achilles last November, taking him out of the Bucks' final six games including a College Football Playoff National Championship victory. 

He could be cleared to practice sometime in July, but in the meantime, he can start proving his former strength and conditioning coach right by meshing with Burrow and others he hopes to be teammates of for this year and years to come.