In a small town, LAKE FOREST, Ill., the anticipation surrounding the arrival of talented rookie quarterback Joe Burrow was palpable. As the Cincinnati Bengals made him the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, it was clear that a changing of the guard was imminent.
“There was no overthinking it. No song and dance. No questions,” stated Coach Zac Taylor, who wasted no time in anointing Burrow as the starter from day one.
Despite a shortened rookie season due to a devastating knee injury, Burrow showcased his potential by completing 65 percent of his passes for over 2,600 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. Fast forward one year, and he had the Bengals in the Super Bowl, a testament to his talent and determination.
Reflecting on his own experience, Burrow remarked, “I’ll never quite understand when you draft a guy that you know is going to be your starter, but then you don’t name him your starter immediately. That’s what was great about my situation. Zac told me I was the starter as soon as I got drafted, and I got all those reps with the ones in training camp.”
Transitioning to the present, the Chicago Bears found themselves in a similar situation in 2021 with the drafting of Justin Fields. Initially serving as the backup to Andy Dalton, Fields was thrust into action sooner than expected when Dalton went down injured.
Despite limited preparation with the first team, Fields has shown promise, garnering praise from his teammates and coaches. “Williams has been taking the No. 1 reps since rookie minicamp, and the Bears, who are trying to win this year, are confident he will learn on the fly,” noted sources within the organization.
However, on this particular day in Lake Forest, the spotlight belonged to Burrow, who continued to impress with his leadership and skill on the field.
With the excitement building for the upcoming season, football enthusiasts eagerly await the next chapter in the careers of both Burrow and Fields, as they strive to make their mark in the highly competitive NFL landscape.
And as the drama unfolds in training camps across the league, one thing remains certain – the future of American football is in good hands with talented quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Justin Fields leading the charge.
“Tell us about it,” indeed.
