Now that the hay is in the barn so to speak with regard to the Cincinnati Bengals and the first overall selection, we should take a moment to discuss the range of acceptable outcomes for the new steward of the franchise. What’s that? There are rocks that need kicking you say? I…that’s hurtful. But seriously, I know why you feel that way, and let me say that I am right there with you at the moment bathing in that SWEET new franchise qb euphoria. Moments like these are rejuvenating for a fanbase that for months (years) was subjected to a horrendous football product, taunts from rival fanbases and scorn from national media pundits (and my goodness have the national pundits been uniquely terrible during this cycle).

So by all means Bengals nation, enjoy the day, week and month. You…WE deserve the prosperity that’s about to ensue. BUT, being the multitasker that I am (desultory person*), I wanted to type something that would bring a modicum of perspective to the issue of Burrow’s career development and ultimate outcome.

And to be fair, this question has been floating around Bengals twitter over the past few months. For example, the eminent Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, while fleshing out his Burrow scouting report chose Kurt Warner as his Burrow comp. Apparently after audaciously comparing Burrow to a super bowl winning, Hall of Fame quarterback, he was pillaged by a segment of the fanbase.

In my https://t.co/WkwvOlJ7Sm draft profile of Joe Burrow, I comped him with @kurt13warner and Bengals fans believe that's an insult. Warner is literally in the Hall of Fame. LOL! Good luck, Joe! — Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) February 9, 2020

A number of Bengals fans have also objected to a Tony Romo comp broached by the Athletic’s Joe Goodberry.

The Joe Burrow comp I like most https://t.co/nA92sskgD2 — Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 13, 2020

This is not meant to ridicule Bengals fans, you guys and gals are amazingly passionate fans that are energetic, nuanced thinkers, but like all fanbases everywhere in the history of the world, perspective can be lost at times (in fact, lack of perspective is endemic to fandom, so again, not a diss in any way). But guys, we should be really happy if Burrow ends up as good as either of the aforementioned qbs. LIKE, REALLY FREAKING HAPPY. Leaving aside for a moment the crapshoot nature of the draft, those two quarterbacks specifically are terrific quarterbacks capable of elevating their franchises to the highest levels of success (Warner did obviously).

I’m not super keen on blind resumé considerations, but imagine if someone told you that Burrow would end up a 4x pro bowler, with a career 97.1 passer rating (fourth highest in NFL history)? You’d take that I’d wager, and that’s not even factoring into the equation that the player delineated likely produces a better statistical profile in the contemporary NFL. That’s Tony Romo. He also led the Cowboys to six playoff appearances and played one of the most aesthetically appealing brands of football in league history (albeit with a helping of consternation).

.@tonyromo was unreal in the pocket 😱 Happy 40th Birthday, Tony! pic.twitter.com/eHkMvz73ID — NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) April 21, 2020

So, beautiful people, enjoy the evening, but let’s do keep things in perspective. It’s never fair to a prospect to drop all-timer comps on a kid before he takes a meaningful snap in the league. Besides, if that strata of comparison were viable, we’d already have seen those comps utilized by people with histories in the sport, the NFL in particular. Certainly, a front office or two would’ve made it known that a comp that exalted was viable. Oh wait…

What I hear on Dolphins QB situation, FWIW:

They think Burrow is Joe Montana. Have offered a ton. Bengals virtually certain to keep pick

They like Tua a lot but medical is a concern.

They aren't big on Herbert

They are super intrigued by Love's upside.5 is high but have 18 & 26 — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 23, 2020

I want to emphasize that Burrow falling anywhere on that spectrum would be a major success. Let’s collectively internalize that and enjoy the future ahead. A Tony Romo-level career would not be a failure for Burrow, neither would a Matt Ryan like outcome because those are really high-end players and most no. 1 overall qbs don’t attain that level of success in the league. We should hope for a Mount Rushmore outcome, but certainly an FDR level presidency would be great as well (to extend my completely apolitical analogy).

No matter the ultimate measure of success, we can say one thing confidently, good times are ahead Cincinnati! A new era of Bengals football is upon us!