Joe Burrow is the starting Quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played high school sports at The Plains in Ohio, where he was awarded with the state’s Mr. Football Award and was named a First Team All-State guard in basketball. He committed to play football at Ohio State where the coaching staff, led by Urban Meyer, held him in reserve behind Dwayne Haskins. Burrowed transferred to LSU in the spring of 2018, and immediately became the team's starting quarterback. His senior season (2019) was historic; he threw for 5,671 yards and became the first college quarterback to record 60 passing touchdowns. He went on to win multiple awards that season, including the Heisman trophy.
Joe Burrow’s senior season was statistically one of the greatest seasons in college history. He achieved a passer rating of 202 and a 94.9 (99th percentile) College QBR. He was then invited to the NFL combine where there was concern not for his below average 4.82 40-time or his 6’4” height, but his 9” (5th percentile) hand size. Fortunately, the Bengals looked past that and selected him with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Bengals named Burrow their starting quarterback in his rookie year and he broke a record for most completions by a rookie quarterback (37) in his second career start. He also became the first rookie to throw for 300 yards or more for three straight games and would go on to complete more passes than any other rookie in NFL history through eight games. Unfortunately, a brutal knee injury ended his rookie season early.
Burrow was able to complete his rehab in time to start the 2021 season. He valiantly outperformed his ADP of QB15 and finished with a fantasy ranking of QB8. In Week 16, he threw for 525 yards against the Baltimore Ravens; the fourth most passing yards in a game in NFL history, and the most ever by a Bengals quarterback. He finished the 2021 regular season No. 1 in Yards Per Attempt, No. 1 in Clean Pocket Completion Percentage, and top ten in Deep Ball Completion Percentage. Cincinnati won the AFC North division, and Burrow led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. His memorable playoff performances endeared him to fans all over, and he was given the nickname Joey Brrrr, not only for his cool-as-hell wardrobe, but for his ability to remain calm and create explosive plays in pressure-filled situations. Burrow figures to be a top 10 quarterback in the league for a long time, but it is imperative the team protect him. With Burrow signed to a rookie contract, the Bengals should be able to invest capital in their offensive line and other dynamic talent to surround him.
Burrow continued to solidify himself as one of the league’s best quarterbacks during the 2022 season. He posted a 100.6 True Passer Rating – ranking him No. 3 behind only Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. He was also the most accurate passer in the league, with an 8.3 Accuracy Rating, while being No. 7 in Adjusted Air Yards Per Attempt (7.2). Burrow continues to be effective downfield, with a 6.6 Deep Ball Accuracy Rating (No. 2). He was No. 4 with 21.7 fantasy points per game last season, and is widely held as a top-five quarterback in real life and fantasy. Early in the 2023 season, Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension to solidify him as the Bengals starter for the foreseeable future.
It was a rough start to the 2023 season for Burrow and the Bengals. The offense had trouble achieving the efficiency of years past. Burrow threw just two touchdown passes in the first four games of the season. Then just when the offense started clicking in the middle of the season, Burrow tore a wrist ligament in Week 11, ending his season. He underwent surgery on the wrist and his recovery timetable will make him eligible to play to start the 2024 season.
