Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals faced a dilemma that a multitude of other franchises have faced before regarding their young, promising quarterback.

The Bengals had multiple key needs entering the draft. Among them, they sought to revamp their offensive line and also aimed to find a possible replacement for longtime wide receiver A.J. Green. After much discussion within the organization, the Bengals opted to use their No. 5 overall pick in the draft to reunite Burrow with his former LSU teammate in Ja’Marr Chase. Initially, the decision garnered some outside criticism considering that former Oregon Ducks standout offensive tackle Penei Sewell was available. Sewell went on to be taken by the Detroit Lions two spots later in the draft.

Burrow has now revealed that he did not push the Bengals to draft Chase over Sewell, although he appreciated the line of communication from the front office regarding this matter, which he explained further during a recent press conference.

“I didn't go in and say, ‘Hey, I'd love to have Ja'Marr [Chase],” Burrow said. “I think the organization did a really good job of making me feel like I was at least kept in the loop about the process. I was in here doing my rehab, and Duke (Tobin) would come down and talk to me, like ‘Hey, watch this guy, tell me what you think. Hey, we're meeting with this guy. I'll let you know how the meeting goes.' As quarterbacks across the league, you see some guys getting frustrated.

“I think all we want is to have a line of communication in those processes. For me personally, I don't need to feel like I made the decision. You could go with my opinion or go without my opinion. Doesn't matter to me as long as I feel like I'm involved in the process, and I think the organization did a great job of that.”

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The Bengals’ decision to take Chase sure has paid off so far. In his first season with the Bengals, Chase has set a multitude of records, which include becoming the first rookie receiver ever to notch at least two 100-plus receiving yard games in a single postseason.

Two years removed from claiming triumph in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game with LSU, Burrow and Chase sure will look to once again make history together in Super Bowl 56.