The Cincinnati Bengals were never realistically going to take anyone not named Joe Burrow at the top of the 2020 NFL draft once the dust settled on his historic season at LSU.
Burrow’s game, on-field and otherwise — with a hometown kid storyline built in for good measure — was far too attractive for the Bengals to pass up.
But a new 2021 re-draft does just that, with the Bengals taking Justin Herbert and Burroiw going second overall to the Washington Commanders.
The Athletic’s Diante Lee explained the change:
“Frankly, there’s no need to mess with a good thing in Cincinnati — Burrow has played in a Super Bowl and consecutive AFC Championship Games. But I just can’t help myself. Herbert is the more talented quarterback, and it’s hard to imagine that his time with a supporting cast like Burrow has had in Cincinnati would be disappointing.”
Herbert in Cincinnati probably wouldn’t disappoint on the field, but Burrow’s steady improvement each year has significantly closed the perceived talent gap and his leadership has been a major reason for the culture change that has repeatedly closed the door on miserable franchise historical trends.
It’s fun to play what if about what Justin Herbert might look like with Cincinnati’s weapons (ignoring the miserable line and the fact Herbert has had very good weapons, too). But nearly two Super Bowl appearances and a run at MVP this year are pretty hard to top.
If the Bengals had a do-over on this one, they wouldn’t change a thing.
