Burrow and Cincinnati opened camp on a note that felt ordinary at first glance, yet carried a blueprint for the Bengals’ ceiling this season. A noninstal led to an audibling masterclass: Burrow read a run-side cue, imagined zone coverage, and dumped a base pass for 12 yards after a quick cadence adjustment with Ted Karras pointing out the look. The moment underscored a level of offense-wide connectivity that hadn’t fully shown through in recent years—a sign of football intelligence translating to on-field production.

The larger arc centers Burrow’s health and normalization of his routine after a string of absences and injuries. He enters year six with a record-breaking 2024—472 points, Chase’s triple crown, Higgins’ steadiness, and a line that returns key pieces—creating a platform to outscore opponents while Golden’s defense plots its footing. The Bengals’ offense aims to be the engine, with growing weapons around a healthier, more athletic Burrow and a staff that has learned to foster continuity in all phases.