The Cincinnati Bengals took some valid criticism over the first few years of Joe Burrow’s career for not properly insulating him with better protection along the offensive line.
Unfortunately for all involved, the incredibly unlucky non-contact calf injury Burrow suffered on July 27 has been an excuse for some of those same old opinions about the franchise to persist.
Buy Bengals TicketsCase in point, for example, Robert Griffin III going on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” and saying that “the Bengals might be trying to turn Joe Burrow into Andrew Luck.”
It’s an outrageous statement, especially given the gross mishandling of Luck’s career by the Colts compared to what the Bengals have done lately.
There’s also a lack of evidence to justify it, given that Burrow presumably passed all tests thrown at him by doctors and trainers to start the season. In Week 1 against Myles Garrett and the Browns, he suffered two sacks and seven hits. Week 2, one sack and four hits.
Keep in mind these were AFC North opponents that know the Bengals best and two of the top defensive fronts in football — all while coaches kept the offense dialed back with quick-hitters in an effort to make sure Burrow didn’t re-injure himself (which he did, rolling out of a pocket on one of the very last plays).
But RGIII wasn’t alone:
here's how you know football's just a different sport: ja'marr chase has been incredible. exceeded expectations that were already pretty high. the bengals have been to a super bowl with him.
but you see burrow hobbled and you still gotta wonder if they should have taken sewell.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) September 18, 2023
Jones later expanded that the point was it would be nice to have a top draft prospect on the line protecting Burrow while he’s hurt, but digging up the draft Penei Sewell over Ja’Marr Chase argument again nearly classifies as bonkers.
As Bengals fans know, they don’t grasp the heights of nearly reaching the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons without Chase. Burrow might not even develop into the player we know him as today. Plus, the upgraded offensive line the Bengals currently field has been fine given the context, especially when the offense gets the ball out so fast.
One could argue maybe Burrow should’ve had a summer rest day when he experienced tightness in his calf to the point of putting a sleeve on it before the injury, sure.
Unfortunately for Bengals faithful, these are the retreads that will pop up anytime Burrow so much as grimaces funny on screen, a sour capper of sorts on a wildly unlucky sequence of events that has the team on the precipice of an entirely lost season.
