Joe Burrow struggles highlight the importance of solid pass protection

The Jacksonville Jaguars should be taking note of quarterback Joe Burrow’s struggles in training camp, so they don’t repeat the same mistakes the Cincinnati Bengals have made over the last two years.

With the emphasis the NFL places on throwing the ball, it’s easy to forget football is a team sport. After all, quarterbacks need receivers to catch the ball, right? They need also need good protection up front if they want to have enough time to throw. Running backs are also important. Maybe not as much as they were 30 years ago but they still play a key role on offense.

Out of all the positional groups on offense, it’s easy to forget how crucial having a good offensive line is, especially for teams with a young quarterback. It seems like the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t get the memo. They made Joe Burrow the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and failed to protect him. The LSU product ended up suffering a knee injury that cut his rookie season short.

Although Burrow has been cleared to pay and is already practicing, he’s struggled in Bengals training camp. He recently told the local media that he needs to get his mind right, and be aware when he is or isn’t being pressured, via AllBengals:

"Today we’re going to have a bunch of people around me in 7-on-7 and individual drills just to get that feeling back. That’s the last step for me, just get my pocket presence back and understanding when I’m pressured and when I’m not."

After how things unfolded last year, you would think that the Bengals have taken the steps to ensure Burrow is protected in 2021. That hasn’t been the case.