Chad Johnson wants potential Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to know Cincinnati “f–king rocks.”
On Tuesday, the former Bengals receiver — who played 10 seasons with the team — revealed he would be dining with the former LSU star, who is projected to be selected first overall by Cincinnati in this year’s NFL Draft.
“Having dinner with Burrow prior to the draft to let him know he’s in great hands because that f–king city rocks and everybody will love you,” Johnson wrote in response to a Twitter question, “Any advice for Burrow and those @Bengals fans?”
Though Burrow, who won a national title in January, has long been tied to the Bengals, there’s been mounting speculation the Heisman Trophy winner, 23, is being persuaded to “pull an Eli Manning” on draft day. Former first-overall pick Steve Bartkowski has been one of the most vocal proponents of Burrow steering clear of Cincinnati.
Chad Johnson and Joe BurrowGetty Images“[The Bengals are] not the best organization,” Bartkowski, selected No. 1 by the struggling Atlanta Falcons in 1975, stated last month. “I know what it’s like to go to a bottom-feeder team. I’d hate to see that happen to him to be honest.”
Carson Palmer, Johnson’s former teammate, has also previously questioned the organization’s commitment to winning.
The Bengals finished 2-14 last season under rookie coach Zac Taylor. And while the draft is still some time away, Burrow’s inner circle maintains he will go to whichever team picks him first.
“He’s excited to even be in that conversation,” Burrow’s father, Jimmy, told Montreal’s TSN 690 last month. “If the Bengals do draft him, he’s going to be happy.”
