THE REINVENTED QUARTERBACK

A 2023 bookended by injuries pushed the Bengals' JOE BURROW to reconstruct his entire approach to fitness and nutrition.

- EBENEZER SAMUEL

THIS TIME, the call was different. At the end of each of Joe Burrow's first four years with the Bengals, he'd buzz his longtime trainer, Dak Notestine, C.S.C.S., to plan his off-season workouts. But after Cincy was locked out of the playoffs last year for the first time since 2020, Burrow asked Notestine for something more. The QB wanted to completely rebuild how he thought about strength, fitness, and durability.

The 2023 season had started with Burrow fighting through a strained right calf he'd suffered in training camp. And it had ended with a torn ligament in his right wrist in week 11 against the Ravens (who went on to unseat the Bengals as AFC North champs). For the second time in his pro career, Burrow finished the year on injured reserve. He couldn't let it happen again. "The biggest thing for me this year is just being out there with the guys," Burrow says, "and be available."