Players:
9. Joe Burrow
8. Brandon Allen
5. Eric Dungey
6. Kyle Shurmur
The Bengals have gone over a decade and a half with stability at the QB position, on a year to year basis. After being selected 1st overall in the 2003 NFL Draft, Carson Palmer was the unqestioned starter from 2004-2010. After a short period of uncertainty when Palmer decided to hold out, the selection of Andy Dalton in the second round of the 2011 draft once again solidified the position for close to a decade.
Like in 2003, the Bengals found themselves with the top selection in the 2020 draft — a pick they would use to select Joe Burrow. As was the case with both Palmer and Dalton for most of their Bengal careers, Burrow is the unquestioned starter.
Burrow will be looking to bounce back after an ACL tear cost him a significant chunk of his rookie year. Prior to his injury, he was having an excellent year and was seemingly the front runner for offenseive rookie of the year. In under 10 full games, he passed for 2688 yards and 13 TD’s, while completing 65.3% of his passes.
Up to this point, all reports on his rehab have been positive and Burrow seems on track to play in week 1 against the Vikings. With a revamped offensive line, and old friend Ja’Marr Chase now part of the WR core, Burrow will look to build on his impressive rookie season.
Brandon Allen, meanwhile, is likely locked into the backup spot. He found himself playing in 5 games this past season, in relief of Joe Burrow, and was able to pry the number two spot away from Ryan Finley. He passed for 925 yards and 5 TD’s, while completing 63.4% of his passes. Allen had some rough patches, especially early on. However, he showed that he can get the job done against sub-par teams, and contribute when the team around him is playing well. He provides confidence that the team still has a chance, should Burrow go down for a game or two.
Rounding out the QB depth chart are Eric Dungey and Kyle Shurmer. Assuming they don’t add another name to the list, the Bengals have two ways they can go. One way would be keeping 3 QB’s on the roster and 1 on the practice squad. In this scenario, Dungey and Shurmur would be battling for that 3rd spot on the roster, with the loser ending up on the practice squad. The other scenario is keeping only 2 QB’s on the roster and 1 on the practice squad. That would leave the two to fight for that lone practice squad spot.
Of the two, Shurmur will likely start out 3rd on the depth chart. He has been around for a couple of years and has had some solid moments in his limited preseason action. Accuracy and timing are two of his strengths, and being a coach’s son can’t hurt him either. Dungey, on the other hand, is a little more raw. In college, accuracy was off and on. However, he seems to have more upside of the two. Dungey possesses a strong arm, a big frame, and excellent athleticism.
The two will battle it out and their play will not only determine who wins that 3rd spot, but also if one or both of them end up sticking around.
Modified Home screen image via: Alexander Jonesi (CC)