Joe Burrow named a Bengals captain before taking a single snap
Joe Burrow has already proven himself to be a leader with the Bengals.
The Cincinnati Bengals are looking for a fresh start in 2020. Andy Dalton is out and Joe Burrow is in as the new franchise quarterback.
Burrow became a folk hero at LSU last season and that resulted in the Bengals drafting him with the No. 1 overall pick. Being taken so high usually means a player will start right away. But it is still normal for that player to take time to earn respect.
Burrow has expedited that process as it has been revealed he is a captain for the Bengals in 2020.
Presenting our 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ CAPTAINS: @Vonn @G_Bernard25 @JoeyB @bynestime56 @ajgreen_18 @khuber10 @36SLY36 pic.twitter.com/nAwgaJKo6Q
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 9, 2020
Joe Burrow already asserting his leadership
Those who have followed Burrow closely know this is not a fluke. It is still a surprise, but not a shocking development.
The young quarterback is making his debut in arguably the most bizarre NFL season in league history and has not made any excuses. Plenty of guys in that locker room were used to Dalton’s voice since 2011. Being named a captain speaks volumes about how Burrow has handled himself in the few months since he arrived. And some of that time was exclusively spent on video calls.
The LSU legend’s college stats can be put to the side now that he is in the NFL. What remains is the maturity he showed throughout his college career that led him to this current situation.
The Bengals have not had a winning season since 2016 and that campaign ended with a fifth-consecutive playoff exit in the Wild Card round. Then came rock bottom in 2019 with a 2-14 record, but the reward was Burrow.
Just winning the team’s first playoff game since 1990 would grow Burrow’s legend in his home state of Ohio. For that to happen he will need some help from fellow captains A.J. Green and the mustached Giovani Bernard. Joe Mixon also has a nice new contract and some young offensive linemen help form a legitimate core on offense.
Next. Bengals building a terrific offense with Joe Mixon extension. dark
Burrow hasn’t taken a single snap and is already a captain. The sky is the limit for him as he looks to turn an entire NFL franchise around.