Bengals

Bengals QB Joe Burrow views RB Chase Brown as a pivotal player for the team’s future.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Burrow stated, as reported by ESPN. “He really has. It’s exciting to see him progress like that. He’s going to contribute here for a long time and will be a great player for us.”

Bengals HC Zac Taylor emphasized the importance of having a running back like Brown, who can secure victories by dominating the ground game.

“That’s how a good football game is won,” Taylor remarked. “We take pride in being the top passing team in the league. We aim to position ourselves to build leads; that’s our goal.”

Bengals OC Dan Pitcher mentioned that Brown has made significant improvements across the board, earning him more playing time.

“He’s worked hard to put himself in a position where we can’t take him off the field,” Pitcher noted. “His growth in all areas of his game is commendable.”

Bengals Updates

• A league source informs NFLTR that the Bengals conducted a tryout with CFL DL Ralph Holley on Friday.
• SI.com’s Albert Breer suggests that Cincinnati should target Jets CB D.J. Reed and Dolphins S Jevon Holland in free agency to address defensive concerns.
• Bengals HC Zac Taylor commented on the impact of the Chargers vs. Broncos game on playoff implications: “None of it matters if we don’t take care of our own business.” (via Ben Baby)
• Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt received a $9,019 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) during Week 15.

Steelers

After an early retirement due to a spinal contusion that left him paralyzed for a time, former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier is now serving as an offensive quality control coach in Pittsburgh. Shazier reflected on the shift to coaching and the contrasts with playing.

“Honestly, I didn’t know [about coaching] because I was so focused on playing,” Shazier shared, as cited by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “Playing was a blessing, and my goal was to stay on the field as long as possible. Coaching wasn’t on my radar at first.”

“The difference between a coach and a player is that a coach has to anticipate several steps ahead. As a player, you might feel ahead, but coaches are always thinking further ahead.”

Steelers OLB coach Denzel Martin discussed the impact Shazier has on the team and the value of his presence.

“It’s so enjoyable,” Martin expressed. “He went from being at the top of the hierarchy to starting at the bottom again. He’s a quality control coach, handling breakdowns and tasks that aren’t typically glorified. He’s doing an excellent job with whatever is asked of him. I’ve told him he’s now on the offensive side, and he’s adapting perfectly. We truly value having him on our team.”