ESPN analyst makes horrifying comparison for Joe Burrow's career trajectory

Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow has taken the NFL by storm this season, especially in the postseason. But Burrow has consistently been beaten up throughout his career. The Bengals have had issues on the offensive line for each of Burrow’s first two seasons. On Monday, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said that Burrow could be on the Andrew Luck track if the Bengals can’t fix their issues on the offensive front.

“This is what I’d say coming out of the game if I was Cincinnati and Joe Burrow,” Orlovsky started. “I was incredibly impressed with him again yesterday. He right now is on the Andrew Luck track. That cautions me. You watch this kid get beat up game after game after game after game. This will not last in this league.”

Luck was the first overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He came into the league as a very promising, young quarterback. The Colts went 11-5 in each of Luck’s first three NFL seasons, making the playoffs in each of those years. But in 2015, Luck’s injury concerns began to catch up with him.

In his NFL career, Luck dealt with a number of injuries. He had some serious shoulder issues, concussions, an abdomen injury, a calf injury, and eventually an ankle injury. After 86 career regular season games and seven years in the league, Luck decided to retire from playing football. In the six seasons Luck played in, he was sacked 174 times. The Colts dealt with issues on the offensive line, and the situation with Luck does draw some interesting similarities to the start of Burrow’s career.

Orlovsky: The Bengals need to fix the offensive line this offseason to avoid Burrow hitting the Andrew Luck track

Luck threw for 23,671 yards and 171 touchdowns in his NFL career. If it weren’t for injuries and consistently getting beaten up, he would likely still be playing today and at a high level. Instead, the beating he took eventually took too much of a toll on him and his body, and he walked away from the game. Like Luck, Burrow is a former first overall pick who has taken a beating in the early years of his career.

Burrow was sacked 32 times in ten games as a rookie last season. He suffered a torn ACL in his 11th game, ending his season. Burrow battled back to play this season, and he has again taken a beating. This season, Burrow was sacked 51 times in 16 regular season games. In four playoff games, he was sacked an additional 19 times. That marks 102 sacks for Burrow in just two NFL seasons.

In Sunday’s Super Bowl, Burrow was constantly under pressure, albeit against a dominant Rams defensive front. The offensive line is a glaring need for the Bengals. If the don’t fix it quickly, Burrow could continue to pile up injuries, just as Luck once did with the Colts. That would be an extremely unfortunate trajectory for Burrow, as he has the makings of a great NFL quarterback if he can stay upright.

“He is phenomenal. They should win multiple Super Bowls with that kid,” said Orlovsky. “The Bengals should win multiple Super Bowls with Joe Burrow. If they don’t get it fixed this offseason, he’s on the track to become the next Andrew Luck.