“It’s sick,” Joe Burrow grinned, his eyes lighting up like the new Paycor Stadium scoreboard. The Bengals‘ quarterback wasn’t talking about a game-winning touchdown, but rather the team’s freshly minted locker room. This state-of-the-art upgrade isn’t just about fancy lockers and mood lighting – it’s a symbol of a culture shift that’s got the whole Queen City buzzing.

In this week’s chat on the Up & Adams Show, Burrow spilled the beans on the secret sauce behind the Bengals’ buy-in. Surprisingly, it wasn’t about the swanky new digs or the promise of Super Bowl glory. Instead, Burrow pointed to head coach Zac Taylor as the maestro orchestrating this harmonious locker room symphony.

“I think it’s a collaborative effort but zac kind of spearheads it you know he makes the culture starting with him” he gushed about Zac. “I couldn’t have asked for a better coach to come into this league,” Burrow declared. “He really empowers the quarterback to go out and make the offense his own.” Burrow went on to explain how Taylor’s open-door policy has created a culture of trust and collaboration.

“He’s so easy to… communicate with,” Burrow elaborated. “He makes us feel comfortable to go up and talk to him about, ‘Hey, we think we can do this better, we can do this better.'” This approach has clearly struck a chord with the players, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the team’s success.

But here’s where it gets interesting. When Kay Adams asked Taylor about who deserves credit for this team-wide buy-in, the coach pulled a classic Bengal-stripe sidestep. Instead of basking in the praise, Taylor deflected, crediting the locker room itself and his staff, particularly wide receivers coach Troy Walters. “I think Troy Walters deserves a lot of credit,” Taylor said. “Our receiver coach – he’s the best receiver coach in football.”

This modesty hasn’t gone unnoticed by the players. Tee Higgins, taking in the new locker room for the first time, marveled to the official Bengals website, “It’s amazing. A lot more space. The lockers are nice. I think the guys will love it. They really outdid themselves. They took it to another level for sure.” The new locker room isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade. It’s a tech wonderland that would make even Paul Brown, the team’s innovative founder, do a double-take.

We’re talking about 93 “beast lockers” each weighing 800 pounds, equipped with wireless chargers, Bluetooth lockboxes, and even cupholders sized for the largest protein shakes. Elizabeth Blackburn of the ownership group, who spearheaded the project, explained, “We aimed to modernize the locker room with technology and a clean, cool design.”

But it’s not all about the bells and whistles. The new space is steeped in Bengals tradition. Blackburn made sure to include nods to the team’s history, like the lyrics “And win this game for Cincinnati” above the door leading to the field, and the “Who Dey Think Gonna Beat Them Bengals?” chant lasered onto shelving units.

As for the upcoming preseason, Taylor has a plan brewing. He’s eyeing the first game against the Buccaneers on August 10 for the starters to make their debut. “I’ve got targeted the first game. I’m not setting that in stone right now, but I’m optimistic that that’s where it’s trending for our team,” Taylor shared. However, the Ja’Marr Chase issue still persists in the rather optimistic and upbeat camp.

Ja’Marr Chase’s subtle impact during holdout

While contract negotiations keep Ja’Marr Chase off the practice field, his presence is still felt in the locker room. Troy Walters, the receivers coach, noted to ESPN, “Even though he is not practicing, he’s been engaged. He’s asking questions, he’s helping the young guys. He’s been great.”

Rookie Jermaine Burton has been soaking up Chase’s wisdom like a sponge. “Honestly, it is kind of cool that while he’s not practicing, he can kind of focus a little bit more on my flaws and what I need to fix and stuff like that,” Burton shared. Chase has been offering specific tips, like advising Burton on the best foot angles for creating separation on routes.

This team-first attitude, even during a contract holdout, speaks volumes about the culture Taylor and Burrow have cultivated. It’s a culture that values communication, empowerment, and collective success. As the Bengals gear up for another run at the Lombardi Trophy, it’s clear that their strength lies not just in their on-field talent, but in the bonds forged in their shiny new locker room.

Burrow expressed the emotion on point when he said, “The more we continue to invest in stuff like this, the more comfortable the players are going to be. We’re going to love coming into work.” What do you think of this upgrade in the Bengals camp with regards to their locker room? Do you think it will create a positive impact on their performance in the upcoming season?