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'Best I'm throwing it in several years': Joe Burrow finally enjoying a healthy training camp

  • Ben BabyJul 30, 2025, 05:41 PM ET

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      Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).

CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow didn’t feel the need to offer an explanation on Wednesday.

After a strong practice, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback said he feels great and praised how he has thrown the ball through a week of training camp.

When asked about why he felt that way, Burrow simply pointed to the body of work.

“You’re out there every day,” Burrow said.

For the first time since his rookie season in 2020, Burrow isn’t nursing some sort of injury during training camp. This time last year, Burrow was still working his way back from a season-ending wrist injury on his throwing hand.

Joe Burrow is enjoying a rare healthy training camp, and it shows in his passing. Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, he was aggressive in challenging cornerbacks and pushing the ball downfield. And as he pointed out, anyone who has watched him can probably tell how he’s feeling.

“I think this is the best I’m throwing it in several years, so I’m excited about that,” Burrow said. “Excited about where our team’s at, too.”

Even though the Bengals have practiced for just a week, this is the best stretch of health Burrow has enjoyed in training camp since 2020, which was significantly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s been recovery from an ACL injury (2021), an emergency appendectomy (2022), a strained calf (2023) or the aforementioned wrist (2024), Burrow has spent camp dealing with something.

Not this year. Instead, Burrow has been strategic in deciding when to take what the defense gives him and when to push the ball into tight windows.

In team periods, Burrow said, he’s looking to take care of the ball and not force anything. But in 7-on-7 drills, he will be more aggressive.