Former Bengals DB Adam 'Pacman' Jones talks contract extensions, NFL Draft, Joe Burrow
KENWOOD, Ohio − From being an All-Pro punt returner and a 12-year NFL veteran to winning Twitter users money by making long-range jumpers on the Pat McAfee Show, former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Adam "Pacman" Jones likes to stay busy.
On Friday afternoon, Jones turned his attention to golf, a sport he picked up from former secondary teammate Leon Hall in 2015. Jones was the first person to be fitted for new clubs at PXG Cincinnati in Kenwood, which opens to the public on Tuesday.
Carson Palmer on Joe Burrow: 'I think he's the best quarterback in the league'
"This is the Louis Vuitton of golf," said Jones, who has played with high-profile athletes from Lawrence Taylor to Michael Phelps. "Cincinnati is a big golf community and I think this will be good for the city right here on (8127) Montgomery Road."
'I love the Bengals'
From his appearances on the Pat McAfee Show, I Am Athlete Podcast, Bleav in Bengals Podcast and others outlets, Jones has enjoyed being one of the Bengals' biggest supporters since his retirement.
"I love Cincinnati. I love the Bengals. I love (Bengals President) Mike Brown," Jones said. "It's a great time to talk about the Bengals, especially with the guys they have in there.
"I think (Bengals head coach) Zac Taylor is doing a great job of being a players' coach and knowing when to turn it off and turn it on."
Jones said that the team's success is helping cool down the long-standing narratives that have surrounded the Bengals.
"Everything happens with time," he said. "We're not as big as other teams and our city is not as big as others like New York. We're catching up to them."
Will the Cincinnati Bengals keep their core group on offense?
Contracts are one of the key storylines surrounding the Bengals this offseason with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins each eligible to be extended.
Can the Bengals keep the weapons that have surrounded Burrow over the last two years?
"We gotta be honest, it's gonna be hard to keep all of them, but I think it's possible," Jones said. "Whatever Joe (Burrow) wants, we should pay him. I'm quite sure Mr. Brown is going to give him a check and say, 'just write the number down that you want.' I hope we can try to keep this thing together.
Who will the Bengals draft in the first round?
The 2023 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and the Bengals can go in multiple directions when it comes to the 28th overall pick.
Jones, despite his defensive background and the Bengals losing key pieces to the secondary like safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell, believes the Bengals will give Burrow another weapon with their first-round selection.
"We're drafting a tight end. I like Darnell Washington, from Georgia. I like Michael Mayer from Notre Dame. If I had the pick, I think they should take Darnell Washington, he's a more all-around player," Jones said. "If both of them are gone, I think we'll go with the best player available, but we need a tight end."
Jones also said the Bengals will be in the market for a running back in the later rounds after the offseason departure of Samaje Perine and the uncertainty surrounding Joe Mixon.
'Shoutout to Duke Tobin'
The Bengals made headlines a few days into free agency when they inked four-time Pro-Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year deal worth $64 million.
Brown's departure from the Kansas City Chiefs elicited a response from former UC Bearcat Travis Kelce, who said it was like seeing your best friend turn "evil."
"Travis Kelce had something to say," Jones said. "It just shows you what type of player he (Brown) is. Shoutout to Duke Tobin. He doesn't get the recognition he should get. Duke, Mr. Brown and Katie Blackburn are doing a great job. I think Mr. Brown and Duke Tobin have done a great job of paying the offensive line and that’s pretty set for the next few years."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'I love the Bengals.' Adam 'Pacman' Jones remains team's biggest fan
