The first day of Cincinnati Bengals mandatory minicamp is in the books and there was a lot to take away from Day 1. The most notable, without a doubt, was Jonah Williams showing up and speaking to the media for the first time since the Orlando Brown Jr. acquisition and his trade request.
Williams noted that he isn't mad about playing right tackle but he wasn't happy about how the whole thing went down. He said the team didn't reach out to him about wanting to sign Brown or moving him to the other side. Williams also mentioned that he found out about the move on his phone.
Jonah Williams: I have no problem playing right tackle. I’m here now and will be here day one of training camp. Didn’t like that the team didn’t reach out to him about the plan and that he found out on his phone. #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) June 13, 2023
Williams does appear to understand, however, that it does nothing to pout about the situation. He's aware that if he plays well in 2023, that'll bode well for him. He did say that he wanted to play his entire career in Cincinnati. That's unlikely to happen now.
Jonah Williams.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) June 13, 2023
On injury: I’ll be full go at training camp. I’ll be full go weeks before training camp.
On contract season: It’s beneficial to me and the team to play well this season.
Other notes from Day 1 of Bengals mandatory minicamp
According to Charlie Goldsmith, Allan George took first-team reps in place of Chidobe Awuzie, who is still rehabbing from his injury. George was an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt last year and played in four games during his rookie year.
One more: Allan George has been a consistent option at corner, and he got the first team reps today in Awuzie’s place. The Bengals like what they have in George.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 13, 2023
Joe Burrow did not want to further discuss his contract situation when speaking to the media. The Bengals signal-caller noted that he believes he's given the media "all the information" he's content with sharing. This isn't a red flag by any means as Burrow previously has stated that he likes to keep this stuff private.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow did not want to discus his contract negotiations:
— Keith Jenkins (@MrKeithJenkins) June 13, 2023
"I think I've given you guys all the information that I'm comfortable with sharing about that process. As far as questions go about that, probably save that for another time."
Sticking with Burrow, he was asked who he believed the best quarterback in the league is and said that it's Patrick Mahomes. He also noted that it wasn't up for debate.
Joe Burrow asked who’s the best in the world: “I don’t think there’s any debate, it’s Pat (Mahomes).” It’ll be him until someone knocks him off the mountain. #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) June 13, 2023
Chidobe Awuzie showed up to the first day of minicamp. He was injured midway through the regular season and missed the rest of the season. When speaking to the media, Awuzie noted that he's "feeling really good right now" and there's no focus on a target date for him.
Over the next six weeks, he plans to do a lot of football activities to get ready and make up time he missed.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 13, 2023
He said a target date isn’t his focus. “I know when I’ll be at that point where it’s undeniable (that I’m ready).”
A few other fun nuggets from Day 1 of Bengals minicamp
The Bengals are repping some three safety looks with Battle, Scott and Hill. Chidobe Awuzie is watching from the side but is in uniform. Allan George is getting first team reps due to some injuries.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 13, 2023
Jackson Carman lining up at right tackle.
Joe Burrow, Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning playing catch as Bengals underway in mandatory Mini-camp inside Paycor. Jonah Williams and La'el Collins not in uniform but here as Day 1 begins pic.twitter.com/5coN4UElyO
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) June 13, 2023
There’s Jonah Williams (black cut off) who is present - FYI - as I reported earlier this offseason, there was never any question if Jonah would report for the *mandatory* part of offseason.
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) June 13, 2023
Jonah is not participating because he’s not yet cleared for yet for full participation pic.twitter.com/1Nkhr2Jk4V
Chidobe Awuzie isn’t participating in the walkthrough before practice, but looks like he’s in great shape coming off of the ACL. We’ll see how much he does when practice starts #Bengals pic.twitter.com/1yRaJe5lPV
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) June 13, 2023