How Bengals QB Burrow recaptured his swagger

Heading into the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 3 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback Joe Burrow was missing something.

And with one eight-yard quarterback draw that he checked into in the third quarter, he found it — faith that his once injured knee had fully healed.

“It was exciting because coming into this season I didn't know if I would be able to do that ... and so that's exciting for me,” said Burrow. “I feel confident in myself to make that check. It's exciting for me to feel that way and feel confidence in my leg.”

Prior to tearing his ACL and MCL 10 games into his rookie season, Burrow's ability to use his mobility and extend plays was a big part of what made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He did it so easily and often before his injury, questions arose early this season when he wasn't moving around in the pocket like he used to.

Those questions intensified after the Bengals' Week 2 loss to the Bears, in which Burrow was sacked four times and hit nine times.

“Some people find this hard to believe, but Joe is human,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “Sometimes he needs to see it, feel it for himself in a real game to know that 'Hey, the things I used to be capable of, I can still do.'”

After rushing eight yards for a first down, Burrow threw a 9-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ja'marr Chase.

The score extended the Bengals' lead to 24-7 and put the game out of a reach. It was an important drive in Cincinnati's win and for Burrow's mindset.

KAREEM ELGAZZAR/CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said an 8-yard quarterback draw in the third quarter against the Steelers helped restore his confidence in his surgically repaired left knee.