Joe Burrow‘s NFL transition from the leading LSU Tigers quarterback has faced enough speculation about his durability. His multiple injury streaks throughout his collegiate career had taken a great toll on his confidence. But he didn’t let it define his story. His tale of transition from an overlooked backup QB to the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at LSU carries the testament of talent, patience, and perseverance. As he continues to carve out his new path of legacy with the Cincinnati Bengals, the former LSU coach reaffirmed one of Burrow’s past glories with the Tigers.
Burrow’s debut stint at the college didn’t show any promise. His career with the Buckeyes was largely limited. Coming out of a remarkable high school career at Athens, the Bengals QB got little to no time to make any strides at Columbus. The early slump earned him a ton of judgment, sneers, and unnecessary, unwanted advice all along. The one that changed his life among those was a remark of the then-Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. As Burrow looked back, Meyer once told him that he was a D2 QB at best. Meyer also humiliated his throwing ability back then. “You throw like a girl”: the exact set of words Burrow had to deal with before he turned a new leaf.
The LSU transfer in 2018 started a new chapter in his career, flipping the script slowly and steadily. His strong arm and great poise quickly earned him the honor of one of the topmost SEC quarterbacks. His game against the #8 Miami Hurricanes in the 2018 opener has stunned the crowd like anything. Burrow scored 10-for-14 for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He moved like a true leader throughout the game. Not only on the scoreboard, but Burrow’s newfound zeal has significantly impacted the entire offensive line.
Nobody was as proud as the coach standing on the sideline, the coach to whom Burrow owes his success. Coach Ed Orgeron, who identified a gem from the mud, took a trip to that golden age and reminisced about how Burrow has played a great role in boosting a mediocre defense. “That ’01 team had a great defense. Our defense wasn’t the best defense we had at LSU,” said Orgeron, in a conversation with 1010 XL 92.5 FM. “But Joe Burrow gave us confidence that we could win any game.”
Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron to @1010XL on Miami 2001 vs LSU 2019: “That ’01 team had a great defense. Our defense wasn’t the best defense we had at LSU, but Joe Burrow gave us confidence that we could win any game.”
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) May 14, 2025
Burrow in LSU is an era worth relishing. His freshman season earned him an SEC record for passing touchdowns (60) and yards (5,671). From accuracy to completion percentage (76.3%) of his passes, the OSU transfer was already a future breakout awaiting his historic turn. In 2019, he exceeded all the hype and hopes, leading the LSU Tigers to a national championship game appearance against Clemson. He threw for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns, solidifying his spot on the team and the NFL forefront. In 202o, Heisman Trophy winner and the most elite QB in the mix went as a first-round first pick by the Bengals.
However, as the years have passed in the pro, Burrow has found himself in a series of injuries. After signing a five-year (worth $275 million) contract extension in 2023, he has missed 14 games in four seasons. He tore his right wrist last season, adding to his ACL/MCL injury during his rookie season in 2020.
However, right now, the standout Bengals QB is on a trend for causing a potential contract standoff for Trey Hendrickson.
Cincinnati Bengals’ recent move with Joe Burrow looks fishy
Trey Hendrickson revealed that till now, he hadn’t received a nod from the Bengals’ higher-ups regarding their ongoing differences and his demands. The elite Edge rusher noted his pre-draft vision, and the last off-season promise didn’t match his salary cap.
On the other hand, Burrow signed his new contract in 2024, thinning the room for his peers to draw a massive amount. But he’s not alone. The new recruits this off-season also could be a potential block behind the Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson dispute.
Both parties have ceased communication already. But they don’t want Burrow to give away anything about this right at the moment. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was supposed to sit with the reporters during spring workouts this past Tuesday. But according to Fox 19’s Joe Danneman, the Bengals delayed the meet-up for a week. And we all can guess the reason. Time will unveil the rest. Until then, watch out for the updates.
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