Joe Burrow believes some of the NFL's biggest stars can play an important role in helping the league grow beyond the United States.

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was talking about the league's international push when he pointed to the reach and marketability of top NFL players.

“I think we are, you know, we're some of the best players in the league and some of the most marketable players in the league. So, yeah. I think we can help grow the game with these opportunities,” Joe Burrow said on September 2.

The Bengals enter 2026 looking to return to the playoffs after missing out in each of the last three seasons. Their defense has been a major concern during that stretch, but Cincinnati made changes this offseason, including adding star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

“I think it's going to be dope. That's something I've always wanted to do. Yeah, I mean, I think it's great to grow the game internationally,” Joe Burrow said on the Chasing No 1 and Overtime SZN podcast on September 2.

Burrow knows how quickly an NFL career can change. Cincinnati selected him No. 1 overall in 2020, and he later signed a five-year, $275 million extension in 2023.

He also helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI during his second season, although Cincinnati ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bengals will begin the 2026 season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13, with Burrow and the team looking to start their push back toward the playoffs, according to Heavy.

Beyond his thoughts on growing the game internationally, Burrow also gave fans a closer look at what goes into running the Bengals' offense.

What’s going through Joe Burrow’s mind?

Joe Burrow explains what goes into making quick decisions before each snap, including reading the defense and adjusting with Ja'Marr Chase.

Joe Burrow gave fans a closer look at what happens before a play begins during an appearance on Ja'Marr Chase's Chasing No. 1 podcast.

“First thing that you're getting after the play is the personnel, I'm relaying the personnel to these guys. We have signals but I'm also yelling, and sometimes you guys aren't paying attention, and then I get mad because that costs us three of four seconds when you only have 40 or 25 seconds,” Burrow said, according to Sports Illustrated.

Once everyone is set, Burrow checks the defensive front, safeties and how defenders are lined up before deciding what to run.

“Right before the ball is snapped, I'll start checking is the corner off or is he pressed, and sometimes Ja'Marr and I will have a little signal and turn an isolation route into something else depending on what coverage we're getting on that side,” Burrow added.

With defenses using different ways to cover Chase, Burrow has to be ready to make those changes quickly.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Debanjali Rakshit