Why did Joe Burrow 'consider retirement' in 2020? Revisiting Bengals superstar's scouting issue

Joe Burrow has had an impressive start to his NFL career. Despite suffering a serious injury in his rookie season, he has already led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in his second season and two AFC title games in just three years.

But what many NFL fans may have forgotten is that Burrow's scouting report didn't hold high hopes for the quarterback at the next level.

During the NFL combine, potential draft picks are measured for their height and also their hand size. Pre-draft scouting reports were concerned that Joe Burrow's hands were too small for him to be a successful NFL quarterback.

The quarterback had a little fun with the report and Tweeted that he was 'considering retirement' as NFL scouts were concerned that the ball would slip through his 'tiny hands.' He then ended his Tweet by asking everyone to keep him in their thoughts.

"Considering retirement after I was informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Please keep me in your thoughts."

Clearly, the Cincinnati Bengals were concerned about the quarterback's hand size as he he was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Given the success that he has brought them, Cincinnati would likely do it all over again if given the chance.

How small are QB Joe Burrow's hands?

Joe Burrow's hands were measured at nine inches during the 2020 NFL combine. At the time, he joined quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Jared Goff as first-round draft picks whose hands measured at nine inches.

But last year during the 2022 NFL draft process, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett faced the same criticism. The former Pittsburgh Panthers star had his hands measured at 8.5 inches, half an inch smaller than Burrow.

The Steelers clearly weren't concerned as they drafted Pickett in the first round. Pickett went on to throw for over 2,400 yards in 12 starts in his rookie season with Pittsburgh.

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo measured below nine inches at 8.85 inches and former NFL quarterback Michael Vick was 8.5 just like Pickett. While it's clear that hand size has become a pre-draft talking point, it isn't a top concern for NFL teams.