The biggest reason why the Cincinnati Bengals are getting hype ahead of the 2021 season is because they have Joe Burrow as their quarterback. The former No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner was on his way to an impressive rookie season before getting injured and missing the final six games.
As a result of this, the Burrow bandwagon is filling up so if you’re not on it already, it’s best you hop on now. Adam Schein of NFL.com, who has been raving about Burrow and the Bengals this offseason, came up with nine different bandwagons that NFL fans need to hop on. Burrow came in at No. 2.
Schein offered this analysis:
"This cat has “it.” He’s what you want in a franchise quarterback, and he’s going to be a superstar, especially with the weapons at his disposal. Burrow showed a nice rapport with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in Year 1, and now old friend Ja’Marr Chase joins the fun. I loved the pick at No. 5 overall. Chase is going to be in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Remember what Burrow and Chase did together two years ago? They owned college football, guiding LSU to a national title, with Burrow winning the Heisman Trophy and Chase nabbing the Biletnikoff Award. I can’t wait to watch their swagger in Cincy."
Schein hasn’t held back with his excitement for what Burrow can do this year and Bengals fans appreciate the love for sure. He’s right about Burrow and how this is a bandwagon that many are starting to jump on if they haven’t already.
Last month, Kay Adams of Good Morning Football said she thought Burrow was a dark horse for NFL MVP. That sentiment was repeated by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, who also listed Burrow as a dark horse for the NFL’s top award. This would be quite the leap for Burrow, who went from suffering an injury in year one to then winning one of the best awards a player can win in the league.
That being said, it’s not impossible. Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs won NFL MVP in his second year (and first full year as a starter) and Lamar Jackson won it during his second year in the league as well. Who’s to say Burrow can’t follow in these two’s path in his sophomore season?
Schein touched on how the Justin Herbert bandwagon is full so naturally, people are getting on the Burrow bandwagon instead. It’s no secret that Herbert had the better season but he was healthy throughout and had a better all-around team surrounding him. Burrow went to the worst team in the league and looked respectable.
Get used to people piling on the bandwagon as we inch closer to the start of the season. It’s a good thing, as it shows that people believe in Burrow and that he’s the right guy to lead the Bengals to the promised land.