Eyes on playoffs, Joe Burrow is now talking about taking preseason snaps

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has playoff aspirations for 2021 — a journey he’d like to start during the preseason.

Meeting with the media Wednesday, Burrow told reporters he’d like to take a few preseason snaps.

“I’d like to get out there and feel the rush a couple times,” Burrow said, according to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. 

On the long-term front, Burrow took a typical “goals for the season” question and aimed high — he’d like for the Bengals to make a playoff run.

Talking about the postseason is getting a bit ahead of things at this stage of the summer, and especially so with Burrow still working back slowly from his injury.

But the fact he’s already talking about taking preseason snaps is pretty remarkable. The outlook has gone from maybe Week 1 to his unquestionably being on the field for the season opener.

So far, Bengals coaches have been pretty conservative about the idea of Burrow taking snaps in a meaningless preseason game. But if he pushes enough — and it gets the go ahead from doctors — it might make sense to let him get some live reps in before the meaningful games start.