Outside observers continue to suspect Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow could be one of the key deciders of how the NFL unfolds next season.
One such analyst is Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano, who recently ranked the 10 most impactful offensive players on the upcoming 2023 NFL season and actually ranked Burrow No. 1 overall:
This is shaping up to be the year of Joe after the Bengals made roster upgrades that could get them to the mountaintop after two consecutive seasons of falling short. (Cincinnati lost to the Chiefs in the AFC title game last season and fell to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI in 2022.) Burrow could have better protection this season with the arrival of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. The Bengals’ defense could also be better with first-round edge rusher Myles Murphy playing with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. Burrow made it clear he’s a top-two quarterback last season with his stellar performance. He might surpass Mahomes for the top spot in ’23.
This list puts Burrow above plenty of names, and especially above notables such as Aaron Rodgers, who now suits up in the AFC for the New York Jets.
Commentary about this being Burrow’s best offensive line to date could end up ringing very true, though the defense will have a big hurdle to overcome after losing Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates.
