Nearly two years later, Bengals still have no regrets about selecting Joe Burrow over Justin Herbert. Cincinnati Bengals Weblog

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati BengalsWhen the 2020 Senior Bowl was being walked through by teachers, they were able to see why quarterbacks are so appealing. Justin HerbertIt was a promising prospect.

Ex-Oregon standout, clearly engaged in learning the restricted playbook while trying to make a strong impression with the Bengals, who were the primary draft pick.

Sadly for him, Herbert’s competitors was probably the most spectacular faculty quarterbacks of all-time: LSU’s Joe BurrowThe one-time switcher who had a record-breaking year, was awarded the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers in a national title.

Cincinnati drafted Burrow No. 1 when it was time to make a decision. 1 general. Herbert was sixth in the Los Angeles Chargers.

“We felt like Joe was the right match,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor informed ESPN. “We knew that Justin was going to be an amazing quarterback and also you’d be fortunate to have him. It was Joe and his performance at the desk that made it all about Joe. And we determined to go along with him.”

Burrow has been the cornerstone of the Bengals’ multi-year rebuilding course of that now has the workforce at 7-4 and in place to safe its first playoff berth since 2015. He has since recovered from a season-ending knee injury 11 weeks into his rookie year and is now ranked fifteenth in the NFL for Complete QBR.

Herbert was named AP Offensive rookie of the year in 2020. He has been amazing once again this season. Herbert completed 66% of his passes for 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while posting an NFL-best 65.8 complete QBR for the Chargers 6-5.

Sunday’s recreation between the Bengals and the Chargers (1 p.m. ET on CBS) gives Cincinnati the chance to revisit one among their most important franchise decisions. In a battle of two of the league’s most promising younger quarterbacks, Burrow will face off towards Herbert for the primary time of their careers. However for Cincinnati, there’s no second-guessing its selection.

After a successful two-win season, Cincinnati was able to draft a franchise quarterback in the April draft. 4 gamers in that draft are starters — Burrow, Herbert, the Miami Dolphins’ Tua TagovailoaThe, and Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts.

Herbert and Hurts took part in the 2020 Senior Bowl. It grew to be an audition for only a handful of Bengals — linebackers Logan WilsonAnd Akeem Davis-Gaither, and offensive linesman Hakeem Adeniji— Who was in Cellular Ala. that week.

In an interview on the occasion, Herbert mentioned the dialog with the Bengals revolved largely round fundamental offensive schematicsAnd Cincinnati’s offense. Herbert additionally mentioned he thought extremely of Cincinnati’s offensive personnel, even earlier than the arrival of large receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase(who opted-out of 2020), who were drafted respectively in 2020 and 2021.

Almost two years later, Taylor nonetheless remembers being impressed with Herbert’s ability set — his athleticism, arm and soccer information stood out along with with the ability to execute Oregon’s offense.

“I wouldn’t say there have been lots of query marks on, ‘Oh, in case you take this man…,’ Taylor informed ESPN. “You felt like he was a transparent, early first-round choose and he’s going to make anyone actually completely satisfied.”

Cincinnati could see Herbert throw in person, but not Burrow, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, that they had watched sufficient from Burrow’s faculty tape that they didn’t want an in-person analysis.

“We didn’t see Joe Burrow throw reside however we positive as heck noticed each throw he’s ever made in his life on tape,” Taylor mentioned earlier this week. “The data was simply overwhelming that this must be the No. 1 choose.”

Not solely has Burrow led Cincinnati’s offense, however he has made a big influence as a pacesetter on a roster that has been upgraded the previous two offseasons.

Cincinnati cornerback Chidobe Awuzie praised Burrow after the workforce’s 41-10 win over the Pittsburgh SteelersIn Week 12.

“He’s our younger chief,” Awuzie mentioned. “He’s the man who makes this factor go. He provides us an opportunity in each recreation.”

Added Bengals security Jessie Bates: “I assumed Joey B was the No. For positive. This is a remark that he won the nationwide championship to fulfill a purpose. It’s Joey B or nothing for me over right here.”

Herbert and Burrow each have their own teams in competition to reach the postseason. ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index provides the Bengals and the Chargers higher than a 50% probability of constructing the playoffs.

However for Burrow, Sunday’s recreation received’t be a measuring stick towards one of many different quarterbacks in his draft class or proving that the Bengals made the appropriate selection.

“I am trying to show myself regularly, whether or not I used be the No. 1 choose or a sixth-round choose or a third-round choose,” Burrow mentioned. “It would not matter to me. I am out right here making an attempt to show myself to my coaches and teammates and to the world each single day.”