The NFL free agency is fully underway and it appears the Cincinnati Bengals have a secret weapon to help them sign available players. For some franchises, they sell the idea they're a playoff-caliber team. Others can offer a ton of money or an increased role. But the Bengals? They have steak dinners with Joe Burrow, per ESPN.
Cincinnati has made a decent-sized splash in the free-agent pool this offseason. After bringing in multiple players to help boost their roster, the Bengals are a step further in the rebuilding process. However, it seems Burrow isn't just the star quarterback, he's the team's best recruiter as well.
The recruiting dinner doubled as a celebration for the Bengals as they wrapped up a big week of free agency. Other signees among those at dinner — defensive end Trey Hendrickson, cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.
[Riley] Reiff was the one being courted. And after a steak and a night with Burrow, he agreed to become his right tackle.
“I walked away from eating that steak and I was like, ‘I want to block for this guy,'” was what Riley Reiff said after signing a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Five signees from one steak dinner is rather impressive. The Bengals' front office should be rewarding their young star quarterback any way they can, as he helped secure some much-needed acquisitions for the roster.
Mike Hilton was asked about Joe Burrow, and he talks about how impressed he was with how Burrow carries himself.
“He has an aura about him,” Hilton said. “He's a young guy, but he commands the room. He takes pride in being the leader of the team and just embraces the room.”
The Cincinnati Bengals aren't yet finished building their roster as they still have a few things to address. However, they were able to land the bulk of the players they wanted in free agency. There is still plenty of time between now and the NFL draft, so the Bengals could still be in a position to sign more talent to the roster. Just have to make sure Joe Burrow's primed and ready with his steaks and cigars.
Follow Us
Subscribe