The Cincinnati Bengals must do a better job of protecting Joe Burrow in 2022.
He took over 50 sacks during the regular season and took seven more in the Super Bowl.
The second-year passer was being chased and hit often, and at one point was left on the ground visibly in pain while grabbing his knee.
Fans feared the worst, yet Burrow stayed in the game.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed some news Tuesday afternoon that comes as no surprise.
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow suffered a knee injury in the Super Bowl that won't require surgery, sources say, based on initial tests. He’ll have to rehab, but the sprain shouldn’t drastically alter his offseason.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2022
Burrow did indeed suffer a knee injury, but one that reportedly isn’t too serious.
The latter fact is good news, however, this further drives home the point of how the Bengals must bolster their offensive line and fast.
Bengals Have Zero Excuses
The team already decided to pass on a top offensive lineman by drafting Ja’Marr Chase in the 2021 NFL Draft.
That move was a booming success as Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
But he won’t keep up the success if Burrow misses time with constant injuries.
The Bengals must use free agency and the draft to add top linemen.
If that means overspending or trading up in the draft, so be it.
They are out of excuses and are entering the dangerous territory of being compared to the Indianapolis Colts and how that franchise treated Andrew Luck.
The Colts never bolstered the line and it led to an early retirement for Luck, who was once seen as a generational talent.
Cincinnati still reached the Super Bowl with one of the worst offensive lines in football.
Adding a few new pieces may make them unstoppable in 2022.
Just imagine what Burrow can do if he actually has time to throw.
NEXT: Bengals Add To A Historical Run Of Heartbreak