It may not have been the result he wanted, but quarterback Joe Burrow has changed the culture of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2022 Super Bowl this past Sunday, 23-20. Burrow threw for 263 yards and one touchdown. Although they lost, Burrow and the Bengals had one of their best seasons in a long time. 

In the past two seasons under head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals have only won six games. This year the Bengals exceeded expectations, winning ten games, and clinching a  division title for the first time in six years. Coming off a torn ACL he suffered last year, Burrow made a big leap in just his second season in the NFL. Burrow had a 70.9% completion percentage and threw for 4611 yards, with 34 touchdowns.

Burrow’s swagger, confidence and cockiness is just what the Bengals needed at quarterback. The Bengals have been a lackluster team for a long time. If you think of a loser franchise in the NFL, the Bengals are at the top of the list. Burrow has rejuvenated the Bengals, turning them from a bunch of nobodies to a team with a bunch of confidence. 

This confidence has made Burrow one of the best young quarterbacks in the game right now. Burrow may not be as mobile as some of the young quarterbacks in the game right now, but he’s an elite pocket passer with a great football IQ. When you pair that up with the receiving talent the Bengals have in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals offense has become explosive. Instead of drafting a top tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft, such as Penei Sewell, the Bengals decided to pair up Burrow with his former college teammate Chase. Many criticized this decision by the Bengals. In addition to Chase struggling in the preseason catching the ball, It looked like the  Bengals made another characteristic foolish decision. Instead, Burrow and Chase have developed into one of the best quarterback and receiver duos in the league. As a result, the Bengals have a balanced offense that can be dangerous in the pass, and in the run with running back Joe Mixon.

A reminder that this is despite an inferior offensive line. Burrow was sacked 51 times this season, plus an additional 19 times in the postseason, the most sacks a quarterback has taken in the playoffs during the Super Bowl Era. 

There’s no doubt that the Bengals have their guy at quarterback for the future. Burrow being clutch throughout the playoffs shows that he can be the guy to lead a game winning drive. The players around him believe in him, and they know that he is their franchise quarterback.

If the Bengals really want to optimize the Burrow Era in Cincinnati they need to protect him. Give him protection and more time to get the ball out, in order to protect him from becoming damaged goods before he enters his prime. The future of the Bengals looks good with the talent they have on both sides of the ball. The AFC is filled with a lot of talented teams, and the Bengals have a tougher schedule next year. It’s going to be a hard challenge for this team to get back to the Super Bowl, but with Burrow at the helm, there is no doubt they will be back one day. The Bengals have arrived, and they are not leaving anytime soon.