What happened: Kyle Hamilton, speaking with Evan Washburn, explained why Joe Burrow is so difficult to defend, saying that once Burrow gets going he is tough and consistently puts the ball in the right spot. The praise comes from a defender who has faced Burrow firsthand and respects his command of the position.

Why it matters: Endorsements from elite defensive players carry weight heading into the 2026 season, where a healthy Burrow is central to Cincinnati's outlook. Burrow's accuracy and pre-snap reads have long been his calling cards, and a respected safety publicly acknowledging that reinforces his standing among the league's toughest quarterbacks to game-plan against.

What to watch: Watch whether Burrow stays healthy through the offseason program and how his connection with his receivers looks once the 2026 season opens.