3 Ways Bengals Could Royally Screw up Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals have their path back to respectability set up perfectly. With an offensive head coach in Zac Taylor given the perfect protege in LSU Heisman winner and Ohio native Joe Burrow, the Bengals are set up for the next decade at the most important position in the game. The only way the Bengals screw this up is reverting to their old ways and messing with Burrow's development, which they could do in a variety of different ways.

3. Firing Coaches Frequently

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor / Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

Marvin Lewis lasted forever in Cincinnati, so that should give Taylor a lot of leeway. However, Cincinnati's front office needs to be patient with Taylor, as he probably isn't going to see the playoffs for a few seasons given how massive of an overhaul the Bengals needed after last season. Three straight losing seasons might get most coaches the axe, but Cincy needs to let Burrow and Taylor work rather than making him learn new playbooks every year.

2. Not Giving Him an Offensive Line

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams / Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Burrow's best trait as a quarterback might be his ability to navigate pressure in the pocket, but Cincinnati can't let that be an excuse to not get him protection. Burrow played behind three NFL players in Lloyd Cushenberry, Saadhiq Charles, and Damien Lewis at LSU, and he'll need even more depth to succeed in Cincinnati. Expect 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams to emerge as a star before Cincinnati hits the offensive line early and often in the 2021 draft.

1. Being Too Hands-On

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Bengals thought they had fixed their ineptitude in 2003, when they drafted USC's Carson Palmer first overall, paired with a talented second-round receiver in Chad Johnson, and had a young head coach in Marvin Lewis. Unfortunately, Palmer left the team due to owner Mike Brown, an owner/GM who is what Jerry Jones would be if Jerry Jones didn't know football. His refusal to spend money, expand their scouting staff, and stop meddling in day-to-day affairs drove Palmer out of Cincinnati. Brown needs to take a step back if he wants Burrow to succeed, as a promising nucleus led by Palmer was undone solely because of him.