It’s hard to take much bigger of a sophomore leap than [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] did in 2021.
After registering arguably the best season from a passer in college football history, Burrow became the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft for the Cincinnati Bengals. He showed some promise as a rookie, though he was held back by roster holes and a torn ACL that ultimately ended his campaign prematurely.
No one knew quite what to expect from Burrow last fall, but he certainly exceeded whatever expectations were in place. He finished with 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while leading Cincinnati to its first playoff win in three decades and within reach of a Lombardi Trophy.
Burrow isn’t being overlooked this time around, though. After his stellar second season, he ranks as the NFL’s No. 27 overall player entering the 2022 season, according to Pro Football Focus.
It seems hard to believe that just a year ago everybody was just hoping a serious knee injury didn’t derail Burrow’s career. He came back significantly better and finished the 2021 season with the highest overall PFF grade (91.8) among quarterbacks, including the playoffs. Burrow looks like one of the game’s best already and will have an improved offensive line to work behind in 2022.
The numbers certainly back up how good Burrow looked last season as he earned an elite grade that constituted the best among NFL quarterbacks. The Bengals got better up front this offseason, and with a young, superstar-in-the-making receiver in former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow should be on his way to becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the league, if he isn’t already.
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