CINCINNATI — For the Bengals coaching staff, the anticipation for the upcoming season can be equated to that of a child waiting to see what Santa Claus brought.

“It’s like Christmas morning again,” said Bengals assistant head coach Darrin Simmons. “I know what’s in the wrapping, but I haven’t gotten to play with the toys yet.”

Training camp begins this week, in a year when the expectations are higher than in recent seasons.

“We need to do better; we know that,” team owner Mike Brown said. “We think we’re in position to do that. We look forward to doing better and getting the stadium looking the way at games that we think it should.”

He’s talking about packing Paul Brown Stadium with fans, which they are allowed to do this season with COVID-19-related attendance restrictions having been lifted.

“You just feel that excitement that you forgot that you missed,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “You didn’t forget, but you didn’t get to experience it. Now that it’s back, I know that our players are juiced up. Our fans, our coaches, everybody’s ready to get a full crowd out here and get after it.”

A full crowd at home would be the first of quarterback Joe Burrow’s pro career. Remarkably, Burrow is fully cleared to practice on day one of training camp — eight months after a serious knee injury.

"To be where he is now does not surprise me," offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. "It's almost unfairly expected just because we know how he works."

The Bengals are looking for their first winning season since 2015.

The team kicks off their 2021 campaign Sept. 12 at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals announced Thursday a new installation at Paul Brown Stadium called the Ring of Honor, which is meant to honor former coaches, players and others who were influential in the organization's history.

"Through the Bengals Ring of Honor, we will be able to celebrate our great history and keep memories alive as we create content that can be shared for generations to come," Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said.

The Ring of Honor will be a recurring tradition and will be in the east facade of the stadium. Paul Brown and Anthony Munoz have already been selected to be part of the installation.

"They are in the Hall of Fame in Canton and it pleases me to put them out front as our initial inductees," Bengals president Mike Brown said.

“I am humbled to be a member of the inaugural class of the Bengals Ring of Honor alongside Paul Brown,” Munoz said. "The organization has had some amazing, amazing players over the 50-plus years of existence. I think it’s great because now we get to celebrate all of the guys and that’s what it’s all about.”

Two other people will be selected for the inaugural Ring of Honor class by a ballot vote between Bengals season ticket members and suite owners.

“The Bengals Ring of Honor is a way to show our appreciation for individuals who have made a significant impact on our franchise,” Brown said. "We have a lot great players and coaches to honor and it will be fun to reminisce as we go about this process.”