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Is Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow an elite NFL quarterback with just three seasons under his belt? The short answer, yes. We’ll break down the longer answer, but his accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional levels are nothing short of legendary. He is, at the very least, on the path to greatness.
To be frank, Burrow became elite the moment he took Cincinnati to a Super Bowl. His third year only validates him further as one of the game’s top players. If he is able to knock off Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes for a second straight postseason, it’s tough to argue that he might be the best and not just ‘elite’.
Joe Burrow Notable Stats
Besides reaching the AFC Championship twice in just three seasons, there is much to love about Burrow’s career and certain stats that have elevated him to top-tier status. Let’s go back to Louisiana State and his college football days.
Nick Saban and Alabama’s 2019 defense was one of the best in the country, a powerhouse he built while coaching in Tuscaloosa. Burrow handled that defense, tossing for 393 yards and three TDs. Once he made the college football ‘God’ bleed, he didn’t stop there.
Burrow threw a ridiculous seven TD passes in the first half of his CFB Playoff Semifinal game against Oklahoma, going on to lead LSU to a National Championship victory. Some of his professional stats are impressive as well, such as his completion percentage.
Burrow currently holds both the regular–season and postseason NFL completion percentage records, although Nick Foles is actually tied with him at 68.1% for playoff percentage. Going off completion percentages, Burrow is technically the most accurate passer. Granted, his sample size is small and the more games under his belt the more likely that number will drop.
Joe Burrow Clutch Stats
Sure, Burrow has good numbers but can he win the game when it matters? Considering he is in his second semifinal game in his third year, yes one can argue he is clutch. However, the numbers can prove his clutch gene is one of the best in the NFL.
Burrow has a total of five fourth-quarter comeback wins, and seven total game-winning drives. Pretty clutch, right? It gets better. In less than two full NFL Playoffs played in, Burrow has already notched two game-winning playoff drives.
Only seven quarterbacks have reached the Super Bowl in their second season, with Burrow last year being the seventh player. The other six include Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, and Ben Roethlisberger.
Joe Burrow Achievements & Accomplishments
The list is long, but it’s mainly collegiate accolades. Burrow has a long NFL career still, so he will be earning plenty of achievements and trophies along the way.
Currently, he only has a Comeback Player of the Year Award and one Pro Bowl selection at the professional level. The Comeback Player Award is important to note because his rookie season was the only season he didn’t finish and the only season he didn’t reach the semifinals.
In LSU, Burrow’s list of accolades runs like a river. He won the Heisman, Maxwell, Player of the Year, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm… we don’t have enough time to go through them all. He was the MVP in both the 2019 Fiesta and Peach Bowls and was also selected as a No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.
Where Does Joe Burrow Rank Among NFL Quarterbacks?
This is a terrific question, but in regards to ‘right now’ Burrow is among the best in the game. What’s scary is his longevity, accomplishing so much in such a short time at all levels.
Mahomes is equally as impressive, but it’s safe to say the winner of the 2023 AFC Championship game will have the ‘leverage’ in debating who is better between Burrow or Mahomes?
