Joe Burrow responds to Zac Taylor's preseason declaration for him following Bengals' first training camp practice

It's a new year for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. He's almost two years removed from a wrist injury that cut his 2023 season short, and that means he's as healthy as he's ever been at the start of a training camp schedule.

Head coach Zac Taylor knows this, which is why he's having his QB1 practice and throwing every day and plans to play him more in the preseason than ever before.

"The only thing last year with him was there were days where we limited him, where he did not throw. And right now there's none of that," Taylor said Wednesday morning before Cincinnati's first practice of camp. "So he'll participate every single day like he like he normally would, fully healthy, and then anticipate playing him more in games than we ever have."

Taylor and Burrow are on the same page in that regard. 

Joe Burrow excited for upcoming preseason opportunity

Burrow has been in the NFL for five years and he's dropped back a total of eight times in preseason. Seven of them happened last year during the preseason opener, the only exhibition he dressed for. COVID-19 cancellations and various injuries have prevented Cincinnati's franchise QB from participating in the games leading up to Week 1. He's all for that changing next month.

"I'm excited to for the chance to get better," Burrow said following Wednesday's practice. "Those are valuable reps that we haven't had in the past for good reason, but I think we're making the right decision this year, and I think that's gonna benefit us in the long run."

Not only is Burrow healthy enough to suit up for preseason action, it's a needed adjustment to put the best product on the field for Week 1. The Bengals haven't won a season-opener since 2021, largely due to the offense underwhelming with Burrow under center.