AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

• Bengals WR Tyler Boyd said rookie WR Ja’Marr Chase gives the offense more versatility. (Tyler Dragon)
• Boyd also mentioned his hands were “stinging” because QB Joe Burrow is throwing the ball with more velocity. (Ben Baby)
• Bengals HC Zac Taylor said Burrow already looks like the player he was before his injury: “He looks better every single day I see him.” (Baby)
• OT Jonah Williams understands the importance of being Burrow’s left tackle: “I take that very seriously. I want to prove the team right and do what it takes to be a great left tackle.” (Charlie Goldsmith)
• Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah said he is fully recovered from his torn Achilles: “I don’t feel anything. I really, truly feel 100 percent.” (Paul Dehner Jr.)
• Taylor also mentioned he is happy to have CB Trae Waynes healthy after he missed last year with a torn pec: “It’s really comforting to have (Trae Waynes). He’s a guy we brought here for a reason. I really like his game. I studied him a lot over the years…To me it really looks like he’s hit the ground running.” (Dragon)

Browns

Browns WR Odell Beckham is progressing well in his rehabilitation from an ACL injury sustained last year.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler offered an encouraging update for the former Pro Bowl receiver.

“I’m told that from those who worked out with him at the EXOS facility in Arizona recently that he looked like his normal self. I talked to a veteran player who was there who said ‘he’s doing his normal one-handed catch, cuts and runs, looks great,” Fowler said, via BrownsWire.

Fowler touched on Beckham’s status with the team as well, noting he has not been in Cleveland yet, but will “most likely be there for mandatory minicamp.”

• Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports Browns DE Myles Garrett participated in OTAs on Tuesday.

Steelers

• Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said he feels he can still play but admitted that he was disappointed with how he played to finish last year: “I didn’t play well enough at the end of the season. It’s no secret. When the ball is in your hand every play, you have to make plays and play better football.” (Brooke Pryor)
• Roethlisberger added he wanted to take a pay cut to be back in Pittsburgh: “It was my idea. I said I wanted to help the team out however we can.” (Pryor)
• On if this is his final season, Roethlisberger wouldn’t say: “I’m going to approach this season like I approach every season, like it’s my last. Every game could be your last game. … I’ve never looked toward the future. I look toward the here and now.” (Pryor)
• Roethlisberger said the offense already looks different with new OC Matt Canada: “You’ll see nothing that you’ve seen in the past.” (Pryor)
• Roethlisberger mentioned he doesn’t want the critics to get to his head: “You let it motivate you but you don’t let it drive you crazy … at the end of the day you’re trying to win a football game, a championship.” (Pryor)
• Roethlisberger praised rookie RB Najee Harris: “He doesn’t seem lost. It’s not too big for him. His head’s not spinning. … the most exciting part is once he gets it and it clicks and he goes full speed. It’s going to be something to see.” (Pryor)
• On his declining deep ball, Roethlisberger hinted that last offseason’s elbow surgery had an impact: “You know I had total reconstruction on my elbow. That might have something to do with it. But no excuses.”  (Pryor)
• Roethlisberger doesn’t even want to consider playing for another team: “I’m black and gold through and through. I want to be here. I don’t want to be anywhere else.” (Aditi Kinkhabwala)
• Roethlisberger also complimented QB Dwayne Haskins: “His release and throwing mechanics are some of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen.” (Pryor)
• Roethlisberger said he rested more this offseason hoping that his arm will have more juice this year: “I took a lot of time off from throwing this off-season. I really hope and pray it will pay dividends.” (Kinkhabwala)