Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Polian knows a thing or two about quarterbacks.
So it’s probably a good sign he’s very enthusiastic about Joe Burrow’s chances with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Polian popped up on NFL Network’s “NFL Now” and noted the following while discussing Burrow’s level of readiness going into his rookie season (h/t 247 Sports’ Jaylon Thompson):
“I think he’s probably the most prepared, the most confident to come in and play right away in the National Football League. That doesn’t mean he’ll play well. Peyton led the league in interceptions his rookie year. No rookie plays well. But I don’t think he’ll be overwhelmed by it and I think he’s well prepared to be competitive and perhaps make his team successful. Look, it’s a long learning curve. No rookie achieves great success. It takes time. But of all of them, he’s probably the most prepared.”
Burrow has quite the unique challenge in front of him. Not only does he have to face the usual rookie hurdles of adapting to pro speed and everything else, he has to do so in an offseason where everything through June — at least — has been all virtual.
Yet, Polian would seemingly agree that if a franchise had to start over with a rookie passer during these odd times, Burrow would be the top choice. The former LSU star spent the pre-draft process telling everyone he was merely focused on being the best rookie he can be, not dialing in on trivial things like 40-yard dash times.
It’s all about expectations. Polian sets a good barometer here — rookies are going to make mistakes and struggle. But odds are Burrow’s the one likeliest to endure them, learn and succeed over the long-term.
