NFL Preseason: Bengals’ Joe Burrow Faces Concerns

The NFL preseason brings up two main schools of thought: on one hand, starting quarterbacks need to be in sync by week one. On the other, maybe it’s better to play it safe to avoid injuries. Some teams choose to play their quarterbacks just for a few drives, wrapping things up quickly. However, the Cincinnati Bengals have taken a different approach with their star quarterback, Joe Burrow.

This offseason, the Bengals pointed out the need to improve their starts after slow beginnings in the last couple of seasons. This has led to Burrow, along with key players like Ja’Marr Chase, getting crucial playing time in the preseason. But what transpired on Monday night against the Washington Commanders drew significant attention from Bengals fans.

In a moment during the first quarter, Burrow seemed to be playing with fire. While scrambling out of the pocket, he had multiple defenders on his heels yet chose to evade them rather than safely stepping out of bounds. Remarkably, he managed to gain over 15 yards despite the pressure.

“Maybe you’d prefer to see Joe Burrow play a bit safer in preseason,” commented Ali Melloff on X after sharing the play.

Things took a turn for the worse when Burrow was tackled during another play. The Bengals’ protection broke down again, and he was hit hard, resulting in a penalty for a horse-collar tackle against the Commanders. Fans weren’t pleased to see their quarterback thrown down in such a rough manner.

While many top quarterbacks, like Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, are sitting out preseason snaps, the Bengals are sticking to their guns. They want to shake off the habit of slow starts, which affected their performance in the first two games of the past seasons.

Although these concerning plays are making headlines, Burrow has been productive throughout the preseason. Coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the risks, stating, “I don’t enjoy watching it, honestly. But this is about him learning—understanding what he can handle.” He added that Burrow needs these moments to prepare for real game situations, especially when the stakes are high.

For inspired fans, the emotions are mixed. They want Burrow to be more cautious, despite the coach’s strategy. “It’s August, Joe, come on!” exclaimed announcer Joe Buck during a broadcast.