(Photo: The Hollywood Reporter)
I’ve been watching Joe Burrow since his college days, and nothing has really changed—he still has that same demeanor and mentality, as if he’s been there before. Most importantly, he’s never fazed by any big moment. I still remember his 2019 season at LSU, which remains the best season I’ve ever seen from a quarterback at the college level. Since entering the league, he has single-handedly revitalized the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s led them to back-to-back AFC North division titles, their first playoff win since 1990, a Super Bowl appearance, and consecutive trips to the AFC Championship Game. The one area where the Bengals have yet to improve is the offensive line. I’ve often said it could get Joe seriously injured—and he might walk away just like Andrew Luck did in 2019, abruptly retiring. The Bengals did win their game yesterday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they lost their quarterback to a toe injury. It’s a grade-three turf toe injury that will require surgery, and he’ll be out for at least three months.
I rave about this kid any chance I get. He’s one of the four best quarterbacks in the league today. Joe knows how to dissect a defense because of his elite pocket presence. He can beat you by moving within the pocket, and when he has time to throw, he’s arguably the best pure pocket passer in the game. He’s a master of technique—how he works the pocket, his timing, and how he creates just enough space to deliver the ball to open receivers. His accuracy doesn’t get enough credit, in my opinion. He can flick the ball downfield, and it lands exactly where he intends. Joe is also sneakily athletic, which can throw off defenders and fans alike. He’s shifty enough to evade sacks and extend plays, and he won’t hesitate to use his legs when a running lane opens up. Even with pressure and blitzes coming his way, he stays poised and will fire that ball without flinching—Joe is truly as cool as they come. His confidence is another standout trait. He believes he can make every throw, and when his receivers break off the snap, he trusts they’ll catch every ball he delivers. To me, he’s a more athletic version of Drew Brees in how he spreads the ball to the open man, just like Drew did during his New Orleans days. As I said back in August during my “Best in the Business” project: there’s not a game Joe doesn’t think he can win, a pass he doesn’t think he can complete, and wild atmospheres don’t seem to faze him at all.
This is such a tough blow for the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s now the third time Joe has missed games due to injury. In his rookie season, he tore his ACL. Just two seasons ago, he tore a ligament in his wrist that required surgery and ended his season. And now, this. I’m starting to think the Bengals are cursed—or that a dark cloud is hanging over their heads. You can see how important he is to that offense and how different they look without him. The recovery timeline says three months, but knowing Joe, he’ll try to work his way back sooner than expected. Here’s hoping for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
