One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 21, 2021

Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 9: Offensive lineman Anthony Munoz #78 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the field during a game against the New York Jets at Riverfront Stadium on October 9, 1988 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Jets 36-19. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Munoz, Offensive Tackle

One team that’s trending in the right direction is the Cincinnati Bengals. While they were still struggling to find wins in 2020, they did show that they have some serious offensive stars in quarterback Joe Burrow (the No. 1 overall pick from 2020), running back Joe Mixon, and wide receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Now heading into 2021, they added another offensive star in the making with Ja’Marr Chase who was Burrow’s No. 1 receiver at LSU.

What they didn’t do, was add a new offensive tackle which got people fired up. Cincinnati didn’t completely ignore their line, which did need some help. They went out and signed Riley Reiff in free agency and drafted Clemson’s Jackson Carman. They will also hopefully see some improvement in Jonah Williams who is entering his third season but just his second year of play after missing his rookie campaign.

Still, there was hope that they would do more to beef up the line after seeing Burrow go down with a torn ACL last year. Burrow has the tools to be elite but no one could have performed under the pressure he was facing in 2020. That’s why it would make sense to bring back a legend on the offensive line in Anthony Munoz.

The third overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft out of USC, Munoz made the Pro Bowl in 11 of his 13 seasons with the Bengals. He was also a nine-time All-Pro selection and was named the NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in both 1981 and 1988. Putting someone like that on a line to protect Burrow’s blindside would be a huge boost to this Cincinnati team.

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