In recent NFL quarterback rankings, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon placed Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow at number nine, sparking heated discussions among fans and analysts. Most would agree that when healthy, Burrow should easily be a top-five quarterback in the league, considering his recent performances and undeniable potential.
Gagnon did provide context to his ranking, noting that a fully healthy Burrow in 2024 could swiftly reclaim his status among the NFL’s best. Burrow’s injury-plagued 2023 season limited his impact, playing in only ten games before a wrist injury ended his campaign in Week 11.
A lingering calf issue further hindered his performance in the season’s opening stretch. Despite this, many feel placing Burrow behind players like Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, and C.J. Stroud seems unwarranted.
Joe Burrow’s 2023 Stats, A Temporary Setback?
Before exiting with a wrist injury, Burrow threw for 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing nearly 67% of his passes. His passer rating of 91 was notable given the slow start caused by his calf problems.
In 2022, Joe Burrow amassed 4,475 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with an impressive 68.3% completion rate and a 100.8 passer rating. He was a Pro Bowl selection and placed fourth in MVP voting that year.
Joe Burrow’s Resilience Defines NFL Journey
Joe Burrow’s history of overcoming adversity should not be overlooked. In his rookie year (2020), a knee injury ended his season after just ten games. But by the following year, he led the Bengals to the Super Bowl with 4,611 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, achieving a league-leading 70.4% completion rate and a 108.3 passer rating.
His performances over those two years clearly cemented his status as one of the top quarterbacks, and his injury-plagued 2023 season should not diminish his proven abilities.
Two GMs recently said Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson has a higher ceiling than Bengals Joe Burrow
Lamar Jackson is younger than Joe Burrow pic.twitter.com/6UdICJNHqg
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 9, 2024
Why Joe Burrow Deserves Top-Five Status
There is little doubt that a healthy Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in football. If he can stay injury-free in 2024, his potential to disrupt the Kansas City Chiefs’ dominance in the AFC is very real. Gagnon himself acknowledged that a fully fit Burrow could easily re-establish his top-five status.
As the 2024 season approaches, Bengals fans and NFL enthusiasts will closely watch whether Burrow can fully recover and help propel Cincinnati to another deep playoff run.
