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Bengals rookie Jermaine Burton's biggest surprise since being drafted will also maximize his skills

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated Jun 17, 2024 1:00 PM ET

For all the questions surrounding Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton, you shouldn't question how he feels about his new teammates.

"This whole team is amazing," Burton told Voice of the Bengals Dan Hoard. "Every person I've met, every vet I've met was completely just welcoming and just instantly took me in."

It's a relief for Burton, who had different expectations about fitting in so seamlessly in Cincinnati.

Jermaine Burton's welcome surprise in Cincinnati

Coming from both Georgia and Alabama, two of the most powerful college football programs in the country, Burton knows about the climb to earn respect in a locker room.

He took that mindset with him to his first offseason program with the Bengals, and was blown away with how open and friendly his veteran teammates have been to him.

"Honestly, I didn't expect that," Burton said of his wholesome rookie welcoming. "Because you know going into the league you expect some freshman year at college type deal and it was complete opposite. I've got nothing but complete different vibes from everybody. I'm actually cool with some vets now, we've exchanged numbers, we've talked about certain things.

"I didn't expect that not one bit at all."

Burton's testimony is just the latest of how bounded and secure the Bengals' locker room has become under head coach Zac Taylor. Players from all different backgrounds have been carefully vetted by Taylor and the front office, ensuring that the tight-knit roster becomes strengthened as the years progress.

It's especially critical for Burton to experience this revelation. The 22-year old was labeled with character concerns exiting college. Entering a new environment that's open to him from the get-go is just what the doctor ordered.

"The more comfortable I am with my team, the more comfortable I end up playing," Burton said. "Especially after knowing everybody's 'whys.' I feel like it's different from when you want to feel with these guys, when you get to know their 'why' and why they're playing and what their motive is, it's a different feeling because now you know why they're playing. Now you know you got to stay on them too because now you know their situation.

"Now you know you can push them from a certain limit now instead of just being like, okay, that's just my teammate."

The Bengals' locker room isn't for everybody, but it's clearly a fit with Burton. And the more comfortable he plays, the more impactful he'll be for Cincinnati's promising offensive attack.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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