The Bengals off-season workouts have folks all flustered over QB Joe Burrow and his off days.

You can tell people just want real football.

Burrow had scheduled off days during the recent get-togethers. Everything is going well in his rehab and there are no setbacks.

Next week is minicamp and more veterans will attend including an expected appearance by WR Ja’Marr Chase. Chase has been in the news following the megadeal signed by WR Justin Jefferson. Chase should get a similar deal from the Bengals.

DT Sheldon Rankins, signed by the Bengals in free agency, said it is Super Bowl or bust for this team.

RB Chase Brown should be on your radars for a buy low candidate. While RB Zack Moss was signed in free agency, this isn’t going to be a one back offense. Both Brown and Moss will play plenty and Brown is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.

TE Mike Gesicki had moments during these workouts where he displayed his ability to get up the seam on vertical routes. In 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end) with Chase, WR Tee Higgins and WR Jermaine Burton on the field, Gesicki should get plenty of single coverage. If healthy he could have a big season but is likely to be touchdown dependent as I don’t see him being a huge target hog. In today’s fantasy football tight end world, that’s good enough for a late-round guy.

One of the interesting fantasy football aspects for your leagues to consider is how to handle the new kickoff rules. The NFL wants more excitement on kickoffs so rules have changed. Does your league include kickoff yardage for individual players? Or is there a defense and special teams unit? Adding the kickoff and punt return yardage at a 0.1 rate of 0.04 rate could add some depth to the player pool in your league. That third runner or fifth receiver could get some points on returns and become a worthy starter instead of bench fodder.

I mention Burton earlier as a third wide receiver but let me be clear WR Andre Iosivas is in the mix to be that third guy. The best world would be if Iosivas is three and Burton four. That would be a hard to defend unit.

One guy who could help the Bengals but not your fantasy football team is P Austin McNamara who had a monster year last season for Texas Tech and will battle P Brad Robbins who was underwhelming for the Bengals last season. A good punter gives the defense a better chance to shine which can help the offense. Robbins was not that guy most of the year in 2023.

The Bengals have set two joint practice days with the Chicago Bears on Aug 15 and the Indianapolis Colts on Aug 20. That should help spruce up training camp.

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