Yes, you knew Joe Burrow was a Bengal, but now you can see it, too
Burrow won’t transform the Bengals into a winner come Week 1, but considering how he’s performed in practice thus far, the typical NFL learning curve won’t be as sharp for the LSU product as it typically can be for rookie quarterbacks. He’s one of the more NFL-ready quarterback prospects in recent history, joining the likes of Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts.
Not only is Burrow showing out in Training Camp to pump up Bengals faithful, but the Ohio native has earned his stripes as well, quite literally. Cincinnati shared the first photos of Burrow in his home uniform, and this former Tiger is ready to become a Bengal.
What are reasonable expectations for Burrow in his first year with the Bengals?
Bengals fans have sky-high expectations for Burrow, and rightly so given his potential. Yet, until he can fully catch up to the speed of NFL defenses, and the Bengals can support their young QB with the quality weapons he deserves, this team is unlikely to make the jump for basement dweller to Super Bowl frontrunner.
The good news is Burrow should already have a number of potential targets, including AJ Green and Tyler Boyd, both Pro Bowl-caliber wide receivers. At running back, Joe Mixon rounded out his 2019 season strong despite a rough start, and Gio Bernard is a nice change-of-ace receiving option out of the backfield.
Cincinnati is lacking, however, on the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball. They were routinely beaten in the trenches, which head coach Zac Taylor is learning fast makes those shiny toys at the skill positions all the more obsolete.
However, building a true contender needs to start with a franchise quarterback. The Bengals appear to have that in Burrow, and that’s not nothing.