Bengals must protect Joe Burrow in Week 1

Joe Burrow. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals can't let history repeat itself in Week 1

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 5/12/23

The NFL released its complete 2023 schedule on Thursday night, which means all eyes are on Week 1. However, the Bengals should only be focused on one thing so that history doesn't repeat itself.

That is protecting QB Joe Burrow. In 2022, Cincinnati began the year by hosting the Steelers. Burrow was sacked seven times and threw four interceptions in the loss.

This season, the Bengals play the Browns in Week 1. Not only is the game in Cleveland but Cincinnati will have a similar threat in Myles Garrett, who's had back-to-back 16-sack seasons, as they did in T.J. Watt a year ago.

This season's agenda.@Ticketmaster | ️: https://t.co/KQ6VcEg1hz pic.twitter.com/EPuvcyxDuu
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 12, 2023

The Bengals did sign left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency this offseason but they still have a big question at right tackle.

Right tackle La'el Collins, who tore his ACL and MCL late last season, told reporters that he's ahead of schedule in his recovery but his timeline to being fully healthy is still unknown.

Offensive tackle Jonah Williams would have been the easy fix as he has previous experience at right tackle, but he requested a trade after the team signed Brown Jr.

With the uncertainty along Cincinnati's offensive line, things are looking eerily like the start of 2022. So, the Bengals must be sure they're ready this year as they take on a Browns team with high aspirations of their own.

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