How does rookie Bengals QB Joe Burrow compare to his counterparts? When the Cincinnati Bengals drafted LSU QB and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow in April, many fans viewed him as the “Chosen One” to finally lead the Bengals to postseason glory. That sentiment is still prevalent today, although the Bengals’ current 1-5-1 record offers little hope that the Cincinnati Curse will be broken soon.
Few blame Burrow for this, of course. The former Athens High School graduate and Ohio State Buckeye is trying to turn around a franchise with an NFL-worst 2-14 record in 2019. The Bengals have not won a playoff game in almost 30 years, a stat that will spook Bengal fans more than any Halloween costume they might see on Saturday.
To his credit, Burrow is putting up impressive numbers for a rookie, and he was the only NFL rookie QB deemed ready to start from week one. He’s thrown for over 300 yards in five of seven games this year. Cincinnati’s most recent loss against the Cleveland Browns was possibly his best game yet, as he completed close to 75% of his passes, threw for three touchdowns and put up 406 yards of offense.
Here’s how Burrow compares to quarterbacks in similar situations:
Notable 2020 NFL Season Rookie QBs
– Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (1-5-1): 7 Games Started, 66.6% Completion rate, 2,023 yds, 9 TD, 5 INT, Sacked 28 times
– Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (2-4): 5 Games Started, 67% Completion rate, 1,542 yds, 12 TD, 3 INT, Sacked 10 times
It’s a small sample size, admittedly, and the Chargers have a more balanced roster than the Bengals. No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins (3-3) is set to take over for former Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick this week.
Past Rookie QB Seasons for the Bengals
2011 Andy Dalton (9-7): 16 Games Started, 58% Completion rate, 3,398 yards, 20 TD, 13 INT, Sacked 24 times*
2004 Carson Palmer (8-8): 13 Games Started, 60% Completion rate, 2,897 yards, 18 TD, 18 INT, Sacked 25 times**
1984 Boomer Esiason (8-8): 4 Games Started, 10 Games Played, 50% Completion rate, 530 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
*Yes, Dalton was sacked fewer times over a full season than Burrow through half a season!
**Palmer wasn’t a rookie this season, but it was the first season he played after sitting out in 2003.
This rookie season won’t define Burrow, nor should it. But we’re starting to get a glimpse of Burrow’s potential. With a revamped offensive line and defense, Burrow may finally be the one to take the Bengals to the next level.
