The Cincinnati Bengals spent the early portion of the 2023 NFL Draft addressing their defense. They had some needs on that side of the ball entering the offseason, but more were created when free agency got underway.

The team needed some pass-rushing help as they failed to consistently get after the quarterback last season. Starting safety tandem Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell both departed, signing with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. Cornerback Eli Apple remains a free agent as well.

So, it should be no surprise that their first three picks of the draft were on defense. In the first round, pass rusher Myles Murphy was selected. He will improve the defensive end rotation that already includes Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard and Joseph Ossai.

On Day 2, it was the secondary that received all of the focus for the Bengals. In the second round, D.J. Turner out of Michigan was selected. In Round 3, their safety depth was addressed with the selection of Alabama’s Jordan Battle.

Battle will certainly receive some razzing from his teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, who were on the LSU Championship team during the 2019 season. During their undefeated season, they defeated the Crimson Tide in a wild 46-41 shootout that Battle played in as a freshman.

Knowing what is coming, Battle provided a hilarious comment about now being Bengals’ teammates with former rivals. Jay Morrison of The Athletic shared what Battle said.

“I’ve been learning my Griddy for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, getting that ready.”

Jordan Battle is certainly taking things in stride. What happened in college in one of the biggest rivalries in the sport will forever remain a part of him, Burrow and Chase. But, now they are all on the same team, hoping to lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl in the near future in the NFL.