The idea that Joe Burrow would play better in empty NFL stadiums is silly

Former LSU football quarterback Joe Burrow could play in NFL stadiums sans fans in 2020.

A question was posed this week about LSU football‘s Joe Burrow, the first overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft, that I found completely silly.

Jay Morrison, who covers the Bengals for The Athletic, pondered whether or not Burrow would be able to perform better in empty stadiums without fans as a rookie.

The theory here is that Burrow wouldn’t be rattled by fan noise and would, therefore, play better on the road.

(Note: It’s unclear at this point if fans will or will not be in the stands for NFL games this fall.)

Morrison asked Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor his thoughts on the matter.

“If you go on the road and there weren’t fans there, you can communicate a lot better and use all your tools that way. We’ll just see how it plays out,” said Taylor.

Essentially a non-answer.

I can’t believe this was a question even asked about Joe Burrow.

Joe Burrow isn’t worried about loud crowds.

For some rookie quarterbacks, this is probably a legitimate question.

New York Jets quarterback James Morgan, for example, probably didn’t play in front of many hostile crowds during his time at FIU.

But Burrow?

I’m not sure anyone played in front of more hostile crowds in 2019 than Burrow.

Not to mention 2018 and his time at Ohio State from 2015-2017.

Burrow exudes confidence. He thrives in hostile environments (Burrow had a better passer rating on the road in 2019).

The former LSU quarterback is so confident, in fact, that he would probably play better on the road against a hostile crowd in the NFL.

When the pressure is on Burrow, he’s at his best. Just look at his performance in the College Football Playoff against Oklahoma and Clemson (nearly 1,000 passing yards combined).

Burrow will be just fine no matter the situation in the NFL.

The Bengals will be rolling in no time with Burrow under center. Fans or no fans.