Right now, it is hard to imagine another active quarterback outside of Patrick Mahomes who has had quite the immediate impact on a team like Joe Burrow has had in Cincinnati. Seriously, it feels like he and the Bengals have been among the most competitive and elite teams now for some time. Yet, it has not even been three years since he was drafted in 2020. The Bengals were the worst team in the league at that point, coming off a miserable 2-14 season. Burrow sustained injuries during a rough rookie season, and the Bengals went 4-11-1.
Since then, however, Cincy has won two straight division titles, reached the AFC title game both of the seasons since, and almost won the Super Bowl. It is hard to imagine Burrow not reaching the Super Bowl again, because he almost reached it again this past season. He's been an NFL quarterback for three seasons only, and already, he has been instrumental in turning the Bengals from a perennial doormat to what sure seems like a perennial Super Bowl contender. Already, they have made some offseason moves that some people feel should allow them to remain among the elite teams in the NFL. They could quite possibly get back to the Super Bowl and, perhaps this time, they just might win, for what would be the first time in franchise history.
It is difficult not to think of that one phenomenal year that he had while at LSU, when he suddenly emerged to become the dominant force in college football, and think that he just might be in the process of doing that for the NFL level, as well. Perhaps he will earn himself an NFL MVP award? A Super Bowl ring, or two, or possibly more?
You never know. I don't mean to get ahead of myself, but he sure appeared to be something special. The sky sure seems to be the limit here with him.
Recently, Burrow has gotten to meet and work with the legendary Joe Montana ("Joe Cool") for charity events. He has enjoyed getting to meet the legendary quarterback, who some still feel ranks as the best ever, and who certainly is, undeniably, one of the greatest quarterbacks, and even NFL players, of all time. Anyone who was around and watching the NFL back in the eighties will remember. I watched some of the most memorable moments in Montana's career, and was stunned with some of what he accomplished. Beating the Cowboys with "The Catch" and leading the 49ers to their first ever Super Bowl, which they won. Leading the 40ers to a then unprecedented 15-1 record, and winning a second Super Bowl. Throwing a long bomb against the Giants - my favorite team - in the final seconds of a game that the Giants seemed to have themselves come from behind in the last minute to win, only to have Montana hook up with Rice and break many hearts in New York in 1988. Later that same season, leading the 49ers to that winning touchdown drive that gave the 49ers their third Super Bowl title, and remaining calm enough during that drive to point out comedian John Candy when he should have been feeling extreme pressure. Looking like the best quarterback ever following a dominant 14-2 season in 1989, then throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions and simply plowing through all of their opponents en route to winning their second straight Super Bowl, and fourth overall, as the crowning achievement for the "Team of the Decade" in the eighties. And then, even enjoying another memorable playoff comeback in the 1993-94 season, coming back against Buddy Ryan and the Houston Oilers, and leading the Chiefs to their first AFC title game in about a quarter of a century.
Those are some pretty damn big shoes to fill. But Burrow has a better show - a much better shot - than most NFL quarterbacks have at possibly doing some things to match that.
Here are some of Burrow's thoughts on the matter, and on his apparently growing friendship with Montana:
“It’s exciting for me because I know he's had all the success in the world that I plan on and want to have in my profession and then he's a great person to hang out with, helps in the community, has a lot of same values that I have,” Burrow said. “And so it's been a fun couple of days to get to know him.”
Joe Burrow on Joe Montana: ‘Plan on’ Having All The Same Success Burrow has been close to Super Bowl glory already in his career. RUSS HELTMAN, MAR 17, 2023:
https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/joe-burrow-on-joe-montana-plan-on-having-all-the-same-success?fbclid=IwAR2hWvGp_tjoMWem0YJGjY1UFVFTSx9ks7PDmDvo4iDp7NHvMbvm1KAe7oY
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