Joe Burrow on if he’d play for Cincinnati Bengals: “Yes. Of course.”

Joe Burrow finally put the speculation that he doesn’t want to play for the Cincinnati Bengals to rest at the combine. 

Cincinnati Bengals fans have been peppered with rumor after rumor that top quarterback prospect Joe Burrow would spurn the franchise and his home state if taken number one overall. With his statements to the press at the combine, that narrative should mercifully come to an end.

It doesn’t get any clearer than the statement above via @pauldehnerjr.

Burrow goes on to say the following,

"“You guys (media) kind of took that narrative and ran with it. There has never been anything like that from my end.”"

Considering the week started out with reports that “the perception he doesn’t want to go there (Cincinnati) is real”, this should be a huge relief for the Queen City.

Beyond these comments, Burrow had more to say, chiefly that he won’t be throwing at the combine. This was expected and solidifies the fact that he’ll simply go through the interview process.

The 23-year-old signal-caller also had this to say about A.J. Green in the midst of his contract negotiations,

"“With any rookie quarterback the more help you can get the better… if I’m lucky enough to be drafted first overall I’d like to have him on the roster.”"

The front office likely didn’t need any extra motivation to get a long term deal done with their superstar wide-receiver but if they did, this should give them the push.

The rest of Burrow’s week will consist of an NFL player association meeting, more interviews, and presumptively building a relationship with Zac Taylor.

For the Bengals and their scouting department, they now turn their focus to the other position groups, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The on-field workouts begin on Thursday at 4 p.m. eastern time.