Bengals 2020 season awards: Offensive MVP

The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense was the focal point of the offseason, as the team made major springtime investments on that side of the ball. As it has been for the past couple of years, injuries have plagued the group.

Even so, there were some obvious candidates for the 2020 offensive MVP award. Cast your vote and sound off on your winner in the comments!

Joe Burrow, quarterback:

There’s not much to say here. In his ten starts, Burrow had 16 total touchdowns (three rushing, 13 passing) against just five interceptions. He was either breaking or on pace to break rookie records before his unfortunate knee injury, as the Bengals seem to have their next great quarterback in franchise history.

Burrow also threw for 2,688 yards, including five 300-yard passing performances, had an 89.8 passer rating and a 65.3 completion percentage rate. He finished with a 75.1 Pro Football Focus score.

While an MVP award is obviously about on-field performance, sometimes the lack of having a special player in the lineup provides a stark reminder as to what they bring to the table. Such was the case with No. 9, as the Bengals plodded to a 4-11-1 finish this year.

Tee Higgins, wide receiver:

The Bengals’ rookie wide receiver had an outstanding rookie campaign. After a slow start to 2020, Higgins became the team’s go-to target.

Higgins finished with 67 receptions for 908 yards and six touchdowns, despite Burrow being unavailable towards the end of the year. These numbers were some of the best by a Bengals rookie wide receiver in team history, while he added to the No. 1-ranked 2020 rookie class by PFF standards with his 75.6 overall grade for the year.

Giovani Bernard, running back:

No. 25 became an afterthought behind Joe Mixon, but after the star running back suffered a foot injury, he became the primary back. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping, the film shows his value as an all-around back.

Bernard finished with 416 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, to go with 355 yards and three more touchdowns through the air. He also continually displayed his worth as a pass protector as well.

Trey Hopkins, center:

The veteran center had an unfortunate knee injury to end his season, but was one the most stable players on an inconsistent unit. He finished with a 63.8 Pro Football Focus score, but was an anchor on the line.

Hopkins was also viewed as a leader in the locker room. The hope is that he can be ready towards the beginning of the 2021 season.